Mercury News: Would you pay up to $6 to ride solo in commuter lanes?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Posted on Mon, Sep. 26, 2005

Driven by popularity outside Bay Area, debate over toll roads moves into fast lane

Public reaction being sought for 14-mile East Bay test

By Gary Richards, Mercury News

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/transportation/12744021.htm

Picture this on southbound Interstate 680 in a few years: A carpool lane from Pleasanton to Milpitas that's enforced 24/7 -- but open to solo drivers willing to pay a toll that would vary by time of day or traffic conditions. There would be few places where drivers could enter or exit the lane, and it would run for 14 miles.

There would be no toll booths, and carpoolers would ride free. The lanes would be set off by a double set of double yellow lines. Eligible solo drivers would use a FasTrak transponder now used by drivers who cross Bay Area bridges.

The fee might be as high as $6 to make the entire 14-mile drive from Pleasanton to Milpitas at the most congested time of the commute. Or it could be as low as 25 cents in non-peak times.

Critics call these lanes ``Lexus Lanes'' and say only the wealthy can afford to take advantage of a faster commute. But a VTA study and the HOT lane experience on Interstate 15 in San Diego and on Route 91 in Orange County reveals support across all income levels, with solo drivers saying they are willing to pay a toll when they need a faster commute.

[brainshrub]

So the rich would have their own highway system?

Fuck that. If they want to get to work faster, invest in better public transportation. In this way, everyone wins.

[marmar]

2. Amen and hallelujah...

Our complete and total disregard for public transit is going to cost us very big. Countries in Asia and Europe where the public transit infrastructure is so much better are going to end up much better off in the era of overpriced oil.

[0007]

3. Public transportation is the answer.

[proud patriot]

6. took the words out of my mouth

I couldn't agree more .

2 Americas indeed ...

[Benhurst]

7. Get with the message, brainshrub. This is BushAmerica. Of

course the rich should have their own highway system, subsidized by the peons whose very existence is sustained by trickle-down from the investments they make.

Who wants public public transportation, crowded to overcapacity with sweating peasants?

Not fair, you say? Take a hint from Barbara and don't bother you beautiful mind with such thoughts.

[SlipperySlope]

1. Carpool lanes are inefficient to begin with

Take the case of a freeway that is four lanes each way, with one lane each way dedicated to "carpool" use. That is 25% of the available lane resource.

California studies pretty reliably show carpooling as being used by 10% of commuters.

In other words, 25% of the resource is being dedicated to 10% of the users.

This doesn't make sense.

[bananas]

8. Carpool lanes are very efficient

They are greatly increase the number of people moved during peak load.
In your example, there would be 4 lanes carrying 5 people across,
instead of 4 lanes carrying 4 people across.
That's 25% more efficient.
Also, the carpool lane moves faster, increasing efficiency further.

[TrueAmerican]

4. On Route 91 in Orange County

From Yorba Linda/Anahiem Hills to the 55 it's just fast trak, there is no carpool lanes. Those lanes aren't filled up at all while the "peasants" drive in bumper to bumper traffic.

[I Have A Dream]

5. I really feel that this is wrong. I personally can afford toll roads...

but why should I get better public roads than people who have less money than I have? I've always hated toll roads for this reason.