SoCal car pool lanes, what's up with them?
 

Are they all toll roads now? We went down to see some friends at Torrance and have always used the carpool. I notice there are many confusing signs. Fast track needed to use toll or 2 or more can use the car pool lane or toll lane. So we got on. Now I get something in the mail with a pic of the rear of our van demanding money. WTF. Its only a couple of bucks, but still, they can just send everyone this thing hoping many will just pay it without any complains because the amount is so low. Are we allow on this thing as carpool with 2 or more in the car? Anyone know what the deal is with that? I thought we paid for the carpool lanes in CA with our tax already?

Was it a Thursday with a full moon, partly cloudy with a 11% chance of rain? No? Then I doubt your taxes pays for it.

I hear ya. We have those damn things here in Ct and personally they're a waste of space.

There's one word that sums it all up............California. This state is so flucked up.

Steve

73 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

I think it some kind of new plan, some of the carpool lanes are now toll during "peak" travel/commute times to supposedly encourage drivers to carpool with more than two in the car or to let those not carpooling that want to pay for it use the less conjested carpool lanes. IMHO its a money maker for some government agency.

You must have been on the 110--the Harbor Freeway. The car pool lane on a stretch of that route was just changed to a toll lane on Nov. 11th. If you use it, you need a transponder even if you have passengers and qualify for a "free" usage of the car pool lane. Of course, you must set up a Fast Track account with the transponder for $40-50 to use the toll/car pool lane without charge. That initial charge stays untouched if you have passengers but is charged if you drive solo.

The "logic" behind this was to allow solo drivers to use the former HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle--ie. buses and car pools) and the car pool lanes by paying for it via a transponder. That meant that true car poolers--those with passengers--would also have to have a transponder though they wouldn't be charged for usage of the lane.

Go figure.

From the Times:

L.A.'s first toll lanes to open Nov. 10 on 110 Freeway
September 18, 2012 | 4:24 pm

Los Angeles County’s first toll lane will open Nov. 10 on the 110 Freeway, officials announced Tuesday.

The 11-mile toll lane, which was created using existing carpool lanes, runs between the Harbor Gateway Transit Center/182nd Street and Adams Boulevard and aims to provide a faster trip for motorists who are willing to pay a small price.

Tolls will vary between 25 cents and $1.40 per mile, depending on traffic speeds and demand, and solo drivers and carpoolers will need a transponder and FasTrak account if they want to use the lanes.

The transponders have three settings: One for solo drivers, one for those with two people in the car, and one for three or more. Carpoolers will not have to pay the toll, but they would still need to have a transponder in the vehicle.

Officials are also working on another 14-mile stretch of toll lanes on the 10 Freeway, between Union Station/Alameda Street and the 605 Freeway. Those lanes are expected to open early next year.

$40 to rent a transponder to be able to run the carpool lane when it benefits the State not having those extra cars out there plugging up the system ?

Wow, I like my little one lane stone roads and hardly traveled State routes here in Ohio.

Toll roads are most common in the eastern U.S., and have been for 70 years. They are very new to CA. I don't particularly like them, but they are hardly a CA. thing. :cool:

Yep, a new one is just coming online in the NoVA part of the beltway. Spent lots of taxpayer dollars to build it, too. Oh joy.

SoCal carpool lanes make no sense. Cannot tell you how many times Ive gone over the Sepulveda grade behind some damn box truck or gardening truck going less than the speed limit, or worse yet, buses. Carpool lanes should be limited to cars and motorcycles. Otherwise there is zero benefit.

How do these rules affect motorcyclists? Should I make an attempt to visit LA, do I just fold up my license plate upon entry? Do I still need a Fastrack Extortion Device?

Also, seems to be the first step in vehicle location monitoring. How long before all freeways are considered tollways? LA has been working on ways to reduce/eliminate automobile usage for quite some time. The central planning mindset fhere will not be satisfied until it is Paris.

Yes, it was Sunday the 11th. What a rip off with a transponder. I am sure lots o people have called them on this, but I am sure its gone to deaf ears.

The more I hear the more I'm convinced I got out of there at exactly the right time. Sad seeing it happen to a place I used to love. Oh well so long CA, Ed hardly knew ye...

So they photograph every car to make sure that the transponders match up with # of occupants?

As well how do they effect tourists? Come over for a visit, in a rental car with two people inside and get nailed for this when its not marked?

Simply another reason to not come to Kalifornia...

Joe, they are marked toll lanes, but also allow for carpool with two or more. Its a little confusing, but like the east cost, you know you have to pay when you drive on the toll road.

I wonder how they know if they get a pic of the back of your car? Our van has factory tinted windows and there is no way you can see inside from the side of the van. YOu really have to look through the windshield to see the back seats with little kids in there. How the hell can the cameras tell?

If you had two people in the vehicle, then would fight it...

Here in Arizona they stopped that as legal tickets have to be handed to you by a law enforcement officer, and sending it by mail did not meet the letter of the law. End of story...

It was the toll charge that was send to us by mail, something like two bucks.

Still, if you pay it then you are admitting guilt and that could open the door for a ticket.

If you had two people in the vehicle, would fight it...