Carpoolers need a flex sticker to travel in the express lanes
Q The new express lane signage is not clear as to who can use it. Signs say if you’re in a carpool, you don’t have to pay. However, nowhere, including on the FasTrak website, is it clear that one needs a flex sticker and an account to use the express lanes as a carpooler. I found out by getting a ticket.
— Matthew Young, San Jose
A
Be on the alert on Nov. 15 when express lanes on Highway 237 will be extended west from Mathilda. My suggestion is to get a flex sticker or tag. It has three numbers on it. If you are driving solo and willing to pay the toll to do so, just show the “1” on your transponder and that’s all you need. If you’re a carpool, use the “2” or “3” to indicate how many people are in your car.
Carpool vehicles with two or more occupants, motorcycles, transit buses and eligible clean-air vehicles with a transponder will be able to continue to use the express lanes free of charge.
A big change is that carpool/express lane hours will start at 5 a.m. and run until 8 p.m.
Q
For the past year or so I have driven by the intersection of Saratoga Avenue and Interstate 280 and am amazed at the garbage accumulation by one female. She has been allowed to stack and line up grocery carts, a bed, chairs, and even hang clothes to dry all on the sidewalk in front of Harry’s Hofbrau. Why is this allowed month after month? Our city is becoming a garbage disgrace.
— Kathi Castro,
Santa Clara
A Disgrace it is. More efforts will be made to clean up this area.
Q Fun fact. Yes, a Tesla on autopilot will ride the center of the lane but if a motorcycle approaches from the rear slowly (instead of screaming past like many do) the car will sense the object and shift to the left.
Just an FYI.
— James Alger
A
Thanks for the tip.
Q
I see that someone else agrees that we need a road over the hill from San Martin. After my last note to you about this, I wrote the county board of supervisors. I received a note back from Ms. (Supervisor Cindy) Chavez that the new realignment will take care of the problem. The new problem is that a new interchange at Highway 101 and Highway 25, plus a new interchange at 25 and Highway 156 will add about nine more miles to the trip and use up more good farmland. Most truckers will use it, but I’ll bet dollars to donuts that the cars will still use Highway 152, mainly because the truckers will be gone! The road over the hill should be a toll road. Thanks, Gary. You do a good job!
— Bill Bartz
A
A toll road continues to get support, so stay tuned.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com. Contact Gary Richards at grichards@bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5037.