Flex tags are the way to travel on new express lanes
Q Our family has three standard FasTrak toll tags that we have had for years. Reading about the express lane extension on Highway 237 and the toll exemption for carpoolers, I’m thinking it’s time to get FasTrak Flex toll tags. I don’t see anything on the FasTrak website regarding upgrading a toll tag, or what to do with our old standard FasTrak toll tags that we’ll no longer need if we buy the Flex toll tag.
— Mary Miller, Los Altos
A The FasTrak folks are only issuing the new Flex tags, which drivers can set to 1, 2 or 3 for the number of passengers on board, to qualify for a discount or a free ride. To swap your old single-digit tags for a Flex tag, go to bayareafastrak.org or call 877-BAYTOLL (877-2298655).
Q If I have the old FasTrak transponder and am a solo driver, will that work? I am rarely going where the 1, 2, 3 would matter.
— Carole Klokkevold
A Yes, the old tags will work. Solo drivers using those tags will be charged a toll in the express lane.
Q Are express lanes coming to Interstate 80?
— Fred Smith
A Yes, in Solano County.
Q The answer to your question about speeding on Williams Road did not match the question. What gives?
— Bonnie Home, San Jose
A The question was a complaint about speeding and my answer focused on traffic sensors. Upgraded sensors should improve the flow of traffic by adjusting traffic light timing, helping to slow down speeders.
Q About people bellyaching about reporting homeless encampments for cleanup:
My son lived in a nice apartment, nice neighborhood. Then a homeless encampment sprung up between his apartment complex and a freeway. All of a sudden cars were broken into, apartments were broken into, things were broken, things were stolen.
The apartment complex and tenants complained about the homeless encampment and finally it was cleaned up and removed. No more cars were broken into, no more apartments were broken into, no more things were broken, no more things were stolen. What’s wrong with that?
— Rich Garlow
A Nothing at all.
Q My friends and I prefer to take light rail when we go to downtown San Jose. We catch the train at the Curtner station. Every time we’ve taken the train, the escalator at the station has been broken. Most recently, it was still broken, handrails and stairs were filthy, and the station looks neglected. What gives? Can you alert the powers that be at VTA to get the escalator fixed and the station cleaned up before the holidays?
— Rebecca Elliot and friends
A The fix-it order is in and the VTA says the station should look better soon.