Carpool access changes draw criticism from some motorists

QI don’t know who decided to change the carpool lane access to 3+ on Highway 237 and Interstate 880, but I can’t believe that decision was to help California drivers. I think the decision was all about the money. Who receives the revenue from HOV lane tolls, and how does that money help California?

— Gary Keck, San Jose A The money goes back to the agency overseeing the express lane and is used for extra California Highway Patrol enforcement, maintaining operations and providing transit alternatives.

But there is a bigger issue: How do we entice more drivers to car-pool? A potential solution may shock you: Pay drivers to get out of their cars.

Yep, you read that right. Researchers at the Mineta Transportation Institute in San Jose found that if drivers were paid $15 a day, half the people driving on busy Highway 92 from Half Moon Bay to Interstate 280

would be willing to travel as passengers, and another 23% would be willing to ser ve as drivers. Money saved from traffic delays and environmental damage would offset the cost of paying carpoolers.

How this would be accomplished is up in the air. Tax credits are one option. Would you c a r- pool if you were paid? An interesting idea that is sure to draw attention.

Q

Why did your article not include the new express lanes’ pricing, other than saying it varies?

— Craig Browning

A

Tolls on express lanes range from under $2 to as much as $9 at the busiest times of the commute.

Q

When we approved building HOV lanes it was 2 people, then it became 3+ and you need a FasTrak Flex tag and a certified copy of your birth certificate ( just kidding about that last one). We are retired now but still drive occasionally and use the express lanes. Shouldn’t there be an ex

emption for senior drivers? I will set my transponder on 3, but you cannot see my grandkids in the back seat.

Why not just go for it all right now and limit the roads to electric vehicles only?

— Dan O’Neal, San Jose

A

That day may be coming, Gramps. Q I am the proud owner of an electric vehicle, but the DMV has been slow getting me a CAV decal. I can’t order the CAV Flex tag until my paperwork comes through. If I’m carpooling with one other person, should I set my FasTrak tag to “3” (the equivalent of setting a CAV Flex tag to “2”)? — Mark Robichek, Sunnyvale

A

No. Set it to “2.” Electric car owners no long ride free on express lanes unless there are three people in the vehicle.