To be eligible for free or discounted toll rates, drivers need a switchable FasTrak transponders (also called FasTrak Flex ®) that has a small black switch that can be moved to indicate the number of occupants in the vehicle. On some of California’s express lanes, qualifying carpools and other select vehicles are eligible for free or discounted toll rates. “Overall, I think the 91 project resulted in a number of important mobility improvements to the area.It's important to get a transponder from the agency that operates the bridge, lane or road that you’ll use most, because each tolling agency has its own rules and minimum requirements. “There’s still back-ups in certain areas,” he said. Standiford said the project, which added two toll lanes and one general use lane, has eased congestion overall on the route.Īfternoon eastbound traffic, especially past Green River Road, is moving better than it used to while the morning westbound traffic doesn’t clog as far east as it used to, Standiford said. “The traffic is still not great on the 15 north, but getting past all the 91 traffic is so nice,” she said. hour, when rates on the Riverside County portion are $2.10. She drives to her office in Irvine twice a week during the 9 a.m. Murrieta resident Roberta Connors said the toll lanes have eased her commute. Now it takes him 30 to 35 minutes, Dean said. It used to take him 45 to 50 minutes to get to work. “The gas (tax) has gone up and now this has gone up,” Meas said.Įric Dean, who commutes from Riverside to Brea, said he tried the toll lanes but hasn’t taken them since they opened.īut he said his morning commute in the general lanes has improved. Lisa Meas, a Riverside resident who picks up her sister in Corona for their commute to Carson, said they wait until Green River Road to enter the toll lanes. “I’m taking it once or twice a week if I’m running short or if I’m trying to get somewhere and the traffic is really bad,” Smith said. She said she’s spent about $300 a month taking toll lanes on the 91, 241 and 261. Money from the tolls help pay off debt for the construction of the project and operational costs.Įva Smith, who commutes from Temecula to Irvine, said she’s started to limit her driving in the toll lanes to save money. At that point, they plan to adjust them only quarterly, he said. Once officials have about six weeks of data, they hope to have enough information to stabilize the rates, Standiford said. The most recent hike came Thursday, April 27. The agency began adjusting rates a week after the new lanes opened and have continued to do so as needed sometimes on a weekly basis, Standiford said.Ī management team analyzes the traffic numbers and makes recommendations to the agency director before changes are made, he said. Transportation officials are still monitoring the toll lanes use - breaking it down on a daily and hourly basis - to determine the best rate that will let traffic flow with little congestion, he said. For instance, on Mondays, when traffic isn’t as busy, the price for the eastbound afternoon commute tops out at $9.05. The rates vary based on the hour and day. The highest rates are only during a few peak afternoon hours Wednesdays through Fridays during the eastbound commute when it is busiest, Standiford said. Standiford said the agency wants to “ensure free-flow traffic” for users who pay the tolls. “Right now demand is higher than we expected so we’re trying to adjust the toll rates so people can travel through there without hitting congestion,” said John Standiford, deputy executive director of the Riverside County Transportation Commission. Transportation officials say the rates reflect the high use of the lanes since the 8-mile portion from the 15 Freeway in Corona to the Orange County line opened March 20. “You’re punishing your regular commuters with increased rates.” “I think it’s ridiculous,” said Jesse Blair, a Corona resident who takes the toll lanes for his daily drive to Orange County. Some drivers aren’t happy with the climbing rates, which are posted on an electronic sign for drivers entering the lanes. CORONA > The new 91 toll lanes through Corona have proven popular with commuters since they opened last month - so popular that officials have raised rates for a few peak times.ĭuring the heaviest commute time - Friday afternoon for drivers returning east from Orange County - the highest price for using the combined 91 Express Lanes through Riverside and Orange counties is now $20.85 during the 3 o’clock hour.
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