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Fastrak requiring physical toll tag

I cross the bay bridge daily. I always use the carpool lanes during carpool hours. I always get the carpool discount. My Fastrak transactions all note the plate and not the transponder, except in a car (very rare occasions and never during the commute). None of the car plates show in the transactions, only transponder numbers.

In the interest of more data, This weekend I'll change the transponder's location and orientation. I figured it would not get picked up so it is in a location inside the right fairing, ziptied to a fairing stay with the switch (the 1,2,3+ selector) facing up. In the event I needed to prove to some local constabulary that I did , in fact, have a transponder, it is visible (logos and switches) at a certain angle with a flashlight.

I'll move it to the left side fairing, adhered to the inside of the fairing in an unobstructed location facing the correct way towards the receiver.

I'll see if the carpool lane transactions start showing up with the transponder number and still giving the 3+ HOV discount.

If so I'll cross during carpool hours with the selector on 3+ in a non carpool lane and see if I still get the discount.

This data may cost me $4, but I'm willing to take one for the team.

Only because you all are on the team <3
 
nickm said:
This is something I've been dealing with as well, and I have really lost my patience with Fastrak. I rode without a transponder for many years and was always charged correctly based on my license plate. Then Fastrak changed something and things no longer charge correctly. I called them up and got the same response that "Now motorcycles must use a transponder and you cannot just use a license plate". At first I thought, "Ok, I guess this isn't that big of a deal. At least the transponder will still have them charge me correctly." I was so wrong about that.

So I follow their directions and mount the transponder on my windshield, doesn't work and won't read correctly, and now I'm getting huge charges on my way to work. I called them and now they instruct me to mount it on my front fender. So I follow their directions and it doesn't read the transponder correctly. I called them and now they instruct me to mount it on my rear fender near the license plate. This also doesn't work. Here is the total list of "suggestions" I've received from Fastrak to "solve" my motorcycle toll problem:
- Mount it on the windshield
- Mount it on the front fender
- Mount it on the rear fender
- Mount it on my rear storage box
- Mount it on the side of my bike
- Mount it upside down on the windshield
- Mount it upside down on the rear storage box
- Just put it in my jacket pocket because the transponder can "definitely be read through a person's chest"
- Recieved a replacement transponder because the last one was bad
- Received a replacement for the replacement because the first 2 were bad

In the end, none of this has worked and I have given up on working with them. I don't know what has changed or what is different, but it simply does not work. I have now accepted that I have to call them after every trip I take to work, and get the charges corrected/reversed. Such a wonderful upgrade they've implemented.
Click to expand...

I feel your frustration and agree with the general sentiment of the thread that a license plate should be sufficient. That said, I have the transponder in the pocket on my sleeve and have had no issues. I can only think that you have received faulty transponders.
 
gixxerjeff said:
This is the part that continually confuses me.
I'm pretty sure you do....which is the source of my confusion.
Click to expand...
Yes. The guidance for the toll lanes is that all vehicles require a transponder, including motos. Motos set the dial to 3.
 
gixxerjeff said:
This is the part that continually confuses me.
I'm pretty sure you do....which is the source of my confusion.
Click to expand...
I had a chat with someone at FasTrak a couple of years ago and she said that if you use the carpool lane on I-580 (I assume others also, but that's the one I was discussing), then you need the newer FasTrak Flex transponder with the switch set to the 3+ mode in order not to get charged. If you just have your plates in the system then you would think they would be smart enough to know that you're a bike and let you through, but....apparently not. You may get charged.

Anyways, I just got a FasTrak Flex, set the switch to "3+ person" and taped the switch so it didn't accidentally get jostled and turned to "1 person" or "2 person" mode, and keep it in my tank bag or jacket. Never had a problem with it being recognized yet.

Side note: I see that FasTrak now has "Motorcycle Transponders (sticker transponders that you attach to your windshield) - see https://fastrak.org/fastrak/ for details. I have no idea how they stop you from attaching it to a car - maybe they also check the plate and combine the info? Also no idea whether it's possible for someone to steal a sticker by just peeling it off your windshield. But...they're not available in the Bay Area, since I don't see anything about them at https://www.bayareafastrak.org/ - they're just a SoCal thing... :(
 
N4teTheGreat said:
Just wait till the charges stack up, then call and spend some quality time with a CSR, I'd imagine all this gets logged and they'll eventually realize whatever change they made is buggy.
Click to expand...
This is the optimistic idealism usually attributed to the very young. Are you very young?
 
nickm said:
This is something I've been dealing with as well, and I have really lost my patience with Fastrak. I rode without a transponder for many years and was always charged correctly based on my license plate. Then Fastrak changed something and things no longer charge correctly. I called them up and got the same response that "Now motorcycles must use a transponder and you cannot just use a license plate". At first I thought, "Ok, I guess this isn't that big of a deal. At least the transponder will still have them charge me correctly." I was so wrong about that.

So I follow their directions and mount the transponder on my windshield, doesn't work and won't read correctly, and now I'm getting huge charges on my way to work. I called them and now they instruct me to mount it on my front fender. So I follow their directions and it doesn't read the transponder correctly. I called them and now they instruct me to mount it on my rear fender near the license plate. This also doesn't work. Here is the total list of "suggestions" I've received from Fastrak to "solve" my motorcycle toll problem:
- Mount it on the windshield
- Mount it on the front fender
- Mount it on the rear fender
- Mount it on my rear storage box
- Mount it on the side of my bike
- Mount it upside down on the windshield
- Mount it upside down on the rear storage box
- Just put it in my jacket pocket because the transponder can "definitely be read through a person's chest"
- Recieved a replacement transponder because the last one was bad
- Received a replacement for the replacement because the first 2 were bad

In the end, none of this has worked and I have given up on working with them. I don't know what has changed or what is different, but it simply does not work. I have now accepted that I have to call them after every trip I take to work, and get the charges corrected/reversed. Such a wonderful upgrade they've implemented.
Click to expand...
Just be grateful that your job is not assisting people with Fastrak problems like the one you describe.
I'd last until about 11:15 on my first day there.
"Hey guys, stopping by the HR office on my way to lunch, have a great day!"
 
Pay to play... it sucks for a moto besides the avg tax payer who cannot afford to pay often. I saw a $10.70 charge on the billboard of CA $$$ucking money from you the other day.. for two damn miles. :rant

I was not in it because I hate the whole thing. I don't hate much but this I do.

If BARF cared we would get a lobbyist and fight this stupid money grab.
 
I've also seen it called the Lexus lane. Eletistism at it's finest.
 
I just checked. No problems, I get discounted fee on bridges and no charges in toll lanes. No transponder. Two bikes. Just like last 20 years. I get an error once a year, but none since 2023.
 
senpai71 said:
Side note: I see that FasTrak now has "Motorcycle Transponders (sticker transponders that you attach to your windshield) - see https://fastrak.org/fastrak/ for details. I have no idea how they stop you from attaching it to a car - maybe they also check the plate and combine the info? Also no idea whether it's possible for someone to steal a sticker by just peeling it off your windshield. But...they're not available in the Bay Area, since I don't see anything about them at https://www.bayareafastrak.org/ - they're just a SoCal thing... :(
Click to expand...

The way I read it, you can get that sticker from the so-cal fast track people BUT I don't think it will bill correctly in the express lanes or bridges....
Hmm worth a try maybe?
 
I haven't seen people mention of the age of their tags and whether anyone's checked the battery on the ones that still have one. I had to replace one some years ago because the battery died. So, now I have a baterry-less one and one with a battery. I never check my account unless it refills (about 2x a year) and think my battery model is either dead or simply stopped beeping

Here's the current state of tag options

It's REALLY annoying that they got rid of the beep. Now, you don't know if the sensor read your tag if you miss the number on the sign or if you're on Express lane/Benicia bridge (no display on either, last I read)

For fun, I asked GPT:
Which (SF Bay) fastrak transponders:
- do/don't have batteries
-do/don't beep
-do/don't support carpool
Click to expand...

Here's the reply and video it returned

1. Standard Transponder:

  • Battery: Yes, it contains a battery.
  • Beep: Emits a beep when read by roadside equipment.
  • Carpool Support: No, it doesn't support carpool declarations; full tolls apply regardless of occupants.
2. FasTrak Flex (Switchable Transponder):

  • Battery: Yes, it contains a battery.
  • Beep: Emits a beep when read by roadside equipment.
  • Carpool Support: Yes, features a three-position switch to indicate the number of occupants (1, 2, or 3+), allowing for carpool discounts on eligible express lanes.
3. Sticker Transponder:

  • Battery: No, it's a passive device without a battery.
  • Beep: Does not emit a beep.
  • Carpool Support: No, it doesn't support occupant declarations; full tolls apply regardless of occupants.
4. Exterior (Headlamp) Transponder:

  • Battery: Yes, it contains a battery.
  • Beep: Emits a beep when read by roadside equipment.
  • Carpool Support: No, it doesn't support occupant declarations; full tolls apply regardless of occupants.
5. Motorcycle Transponder:

  • Battery: No, it's a passive device without a battery.
  • Beep: Does not emit a beep.
  • Carpool Support: No, it doesn't support occupant declarations; full tolls apply regardless of occupants.
Summary:

  • Battery-Powered & Beeping: Standard, FasTrak Flex, and Exterior transponders.
  • Battery-Free & Silent: Sticker and Motorcycle transponders.
  • Carpool Support: Only the FasTrak Flex transponder supports carpool declarations.
For a visual overview, you might find this video helpful:
Click to expand...
 
I've always just had them in the tankbag going back through several versions of fastrak, never had much of an issue. I did just swap out all tags for new versions a few weeks ago, in case a battery or two had gone dead - some were 10+ years old. Now fastrak finally allows for certified and/or registered mail to return tags (link), so there is no longer leap of faith if just mailing them - I had them piling up in a file drawer. The newest flex ones with the circular dial to change number of passengers is the easiest one yet to change on the fly; much easier than the earlier versions to set it at "2" for example. It's only relevant in a cage - but some of us drive those from time to time as well.
 
I have never carried a transponder with me on my bike (per advice I got here back around 2008) and have never had a problem (to my knowledge). Reading this thread spurred me to look back at my transactions (less than a dozen per month). It seems all is in order, I only crossed a toll station twice during commute hours, and was charged $3.50, which I assume is correct. To my knowledge, there is no discount for having a motorcycle vs a car. Only the advantage of being able to use the commuter lane. Correct me if I am wrong here.
It's not like the old days when you needed three quarters to cross for a car and only two if riding (sigh).
 
Do the newer ones with the 1-2-3 switch use a battery? I thought they were passive like the theft deterrent tags.
 
Unclear. I'd think they'd need a battery for the switching to work, but that's just a guess.
 
SlideSF said:
To my knowledge, there is no discount for having a motorcycle vs a car. Only the advantage of being able to use the commuter lane. Correct me if I am wrong here.
Click to expand...
I've never had to use my transponder on the bridges or carpool lanes. However, when using the express lane I have been charged some of the time so I now carry my transponder if I'm going to be using those lanes so that I won.t have to call Fastrack to reverse the charges.
 
aciurczak said:
Unclear. I'd think they'd need a battery for the switching to work, but that's just a guess.
Click to expand...

Bummer. I guess it depends on which one.

FasTrak Flex® Switchable Transponder
The FasTrak Flex switchable transponder is a hardcase mounted to the interior of the vehicle’s windshield using mounting strips. This transponder can be moved from vehicle to vehicle. The FasTrak Flex transponder has a three-position switch which is used at some toll facilities to receive carpool discounts. The driver sets the switch position to display the number of people in the vehicle. This information is relayed to roadside equipment. It can be used to pay tolls when driving alone and, additionally, you can receive toll discounts when you are travelling as a qualified carpool. Please refer to the specific toll facility for carpool and transponder requirements.

I guess these use PIT technology.

 
SlideSF said:
To my knowledge, there is no discount for having a motorcycle vs a car. Only the advantage of being able to use the commuter lane. Correct me if I am wrong here.
Click to expand...
You are correct. Sadly.
 
ctwo said:
Bummer. I guess it depends on which one.
Click to expand...

I had noticed that one of our old transponders was always showing as 3 on the roadside sign in a carpool lane, even when it was set to 2. (It may have been showing as 2, when set to 3, I am not positive I am remembering clearly). This is what prompted me to just replace all of them with new ones. If there is a battery, it won't last forever - and even if it isn't a battery, for some reason an older one was no longer working properly.
 
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