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FastTrak to transpond or not to transpond

L

lewis1286

New member
Joined
May 22, 2018
Location
San Francisco
Moto(s)
2011 BMW F650GS
Hi all,
New rider here, trying to sort out FastTrak. The seller of the bike told me I don't need the hardware (toll tag) on any bridge, they will just photo my license plate and bill that way. That makes me wonder.. why do they sell a toll-tag then?

Do folks use the FastTrak toll-tag, and if so, do you mount it to the windscreen? I have a hardcase on the back, and would rather mount it inside that if possible.

Thanks!
 
Haven't carried a FasTrak device in 6 years, just add my plate to my account and keep on truckin'.
 
lewis1286 said:
Hi all,
New rider here, trying to sort out FastTrak. The seller of the bike told me I don't need the hardware (toll tag) on any bridge, they will just photo my license plate and bill that way. That makes me wonder.. why do they sell a toll-tag then?

Do folks use the FastTrak toll-tag, and if so, do you mount it to the windscreen? I have a hardcase on the back, and would rather mount it inside that if possible.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If you want to have the tag on you, keep it in your top case or in your pocket. You don’t need to mount it in order for it to be read. Apparently Fastrak is more technically advanced than EZPass on he east coast. Those tags have to be mounted in exactly the right orientation according to the phase of the moon for them to be picked up by the readers, and toll booths are gated so if it doesn’t get read the gate doesn’t open and you get stuck. Fastrak is way better.
 
There was no good place to mount a FasTrak on either of my bikes. So I would put it in the little plastic "glove box" at the center of the tank on the KTM or in the top of the tank bag that I use as a tail bag on my XR650L. Every time I've gone through a toll booth on one of the bikes it is listed by license plate rather than transponder, so apparently none of those places work correctly for reading the transponder. It has always worked when stuck to the car windshields.

But I sent my FasTrak transponders back last week since I won't be going through any toll areas in the foreseeable future and everything I own will soon have plates from another state anyway.

Personally, I would rather have the transponder with me in case I were to get stopped for some reason. Then I could at least prove that I had one registered to the bike. But leaving it home seems to work for many riders, so take your pick.
 
ScottRNelson said:
There was no good place to mount a FasTrak on either of my bikes. So I would put it in the little plastic "glove box" at the center of the tank on the KTM or in the top of the tank bag that I use as a tail bag on my XR650L. Every time I've gone through a toll booth on one of the bikes it is listed by license plate rather than transponder, so apparently none of those places work correctly for reading the transponder. It has always worked when stuck to the car windshields.

But I sent my FasTrak transponders back last week since I won't be going through any toll areas in the foreseeable future and everything I own will soon have plates from another state anyway.

Personally, I would rather have the transponder with me in case I were to get stopped for some reason. Then I could at least prove that I had one registered to the bike. But leaving it home seems to work for many riders, so take your pick.
Click to expand...

Had a CHP pull me over for no plate and he asked if I stopped to pay the toll. Told him I hadn't, as my plate had just come off and I auto piloted through FasTrak. While it was less than true, I mentioned that I may have my transponder on me. At which point he said, no bother looking for it, as there's no way for him to verify it was active.

Seemingly, a plate is preffered by CHP.
 
Mine is in my truck, still in the mylar bag it arrived in. Just list all your plates on your account and don't worry about carrying the transponder.
 
Don't forget to delete plates that you no longer own from your account. DAMHIKT
 
Yep, I too just list all my vehicles plates on the account and don't worry about getting the transponder out when going through the tolls. The one exception to that is the carpool/pay lane on 580 through Pleasanton/Livermore. That requires a special transponder with a switch to communicate the number of vehicle occupants. Without the transponder you are assumed not to meet the carpool requirements and will be charged.
 
Sounds great; thanks for the responses! I'll probably chuck it in my rear case and if the tolls keep reading from my plate, chuck it in my junk drawer.
 
Don't need to chuck it in your rear case. Save it for a car. Just add your plate number to your account. I've gone 4 years without a transponder with absolutely zero problems. Their systems are automated to read every single plate and match it with an account or send a bill to your address if there is no account.
 
cal scott said:
Yep, I too just list all my vehicles plates on the account and don't worry about getting the transponder out when going through the tolls. The one exception to that is the carpool/pay lane on 580 through Pleasanton/Livermore. That requires a special transponder with a switch to communicate the number of vehicle occupants. Without the transponder you are assumed not to meet the carpool requirements and will be charged.
Click to expand...
Unless you're on a motorcycle, in which case you obviously meet the carpool requirement. :x

I-680 through San Ramon and Danville now has one of those lanes too, as of a few months ago.
 
To echo others, mine rides in the car, all plates are registered.
 
ScottRNelson said:
Unless you're on a motorcycle, in which case you obviously meet the carpool requirement. :x.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily true according to the Express Lane FAQ...

"How do motorcycles use express lanes?
If you are riding a motorcycle, California Vehicle Code allows you to ride in Bay Area Express Lanes toll-free.

SR-237 and I-680 Sunol express lanes

If you are riding a motorcycle, there are no special instructions or requirements for you to use these express lanes. A FasTrak toll tag is not required. If you have a FasTrak toll tag, put it in the Mylar bag that it came with to avoid the roadside equipment from reading it and charging you a toll. If you have a FasTrak Flex toll tag, set it in the 3+ position prior to starting your trip.

I-580 and I-680 Contra Costa express lanes

A special FasTrak toll tag is required for motorcycles to travel toll-free in these express lanes. This toll tag, called the FasTrak Flex toll tag, has a switch on the face of the tag that must be set in the 3+ position for the roadside equipment to register you as a toll-free vehicle."​

I would agree, doesn't make sense, but that is what they are requiring.
 
And to echo what the others are echoing, don't bother getting a weatherproof transponder. They don't work any better.
 
I was confused about the same thing and called fastrak to ask. She said they prefer if you carry the transponder with you (car or bike). So I asked what would happen if I didn't and she said nothing, it will be just fine. I've been traveling over the bay bridge about once a week for a year with car and bike. They have made a few billing errors but nothing to do with not carrying the transponder.
 
Other than using the paid fastrak carpool lanes, i have no reason why they still use it other than to satisfy those who have no computer access. I have been using fastrak since they came out and never used the transponder. Just reg the vehicles and go through.

Although recently out on a group ride, another rider with the new “1&2l” switches on the transponder said they have been crossing the bridges at either a reduced rate or no charge at all. Im not sure if its legit, urban legends or just a glitch by fastrak.
 
After fastrack charged me $60 ($30 for new transponder, $30 admin charge) after I lost my last one, the new one stays on the shelf at home, except when I have to drive a car through the places that charge if you don't have the multi-transponder.
 
cal scott said:
The one exception to that is the carpool/pay lane on 580 through Pleasanton/Livermore. That requires a special transponder with a switch to communicate the number of vehicle occupants.
Click to expand...

That requires the FastTrak Flex rather than the regular one - and if I recall from when I got mine you also need the Flex version for motorcycles so you should have it anyway. It didn't cost any more than the regular one, and your account will show that you have it, so you'll be good everywhere...
 
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