Express lanes just a way to make money quickly?
Q Can John-the-MTCMan really not understand why having a toll on the express lanes when there is no traffic is a money grab? Obviously, the only way you can drive in the express lane, even when there is no need to restrict use, is to pay. Someone is trying to get money from you when there is no reason whatsoever for the fee. That’s a money grab.
Of course, nobody is driving in the lane! Duh. It costs money, even though it shouldn’t.
It is very hard not to become disillusioned with how our state transportation agencies view the public. We pay a ton in taxes and then, in the case of our highways, they want us to pay use taxes. We already pay. Have tolls when traffic is busy but don’t charge when there is no reason to do so.
— Michele Sheehan, Walnut Creek
A And off we go on the hot topic these days. Q
I fear that Mr. Roadshow has lost his way. Tim Riener, my new hero, complained that a long stretch of Interstate 880 was unimpeded on certain days, yet he could not gain a few seconds to his destination in the express lane because there was a charge, even though congestion pricing would suggest it should be free.
Mr. Roadshow explained that the congestion system operates with a minimum fee for all 15 hours per day that we humans typically travel about. Then John-the-MTC-Man added that it wasn’t a money grab because the lanes are essentially empty.
— Richard Lordan, Cupertino A You are right. The express lane is not free when there is little traffic. Solo drivers with FasTrak pay at least the minimum fee during noncommute times from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Q
You had comments regarding the fact that express lanes were charging tolls, even though traffic was very light in all lanes and Tim Riener opined that it appeared to be a money grab. You then provided a quote from John-the-MTC-Man, who pointed out that if the express lanes were empty, it could hardly be called a money grab with no revenue generated.
I think John-the-MTC-Man misses the point. If the express lanes are empty and traffic is light, why shouldn’t the lanes be open and free to all?
We all paid for the lanes, didn’t we? Or maybe the lanes need to be left available in case San Francisco Mayor London Breed or Gov. Gavin Newsom need to make a run for The French Laundry? — John Roberts, San Jose A Ouch. I believe those trips to the posh French Laundry during COVID-19 restricted travel will be remembered for a long time, as will the “no money grab” comment by Johnthe-MTC-Man.