HOV FasTrak lanes

[GPzPop]

ok, question about the 580 livermore, p-town corridor :
what do the one-two-or three lit up flashy lights on the sensor locaations refer to?

 

[Gawernator]

ok, question about the 580 livermore, p-town corridor :
what do the one-two-or three lit up flashy lights on the sensor locaations refer to?

I believe the number of lights means the number of people in the car, or which setting is detected on your transponder.

My question is, is the only way they are detecting HOV cheats by local CHP enforcement then?

 

[vizcarmb]

If you call fastrak they will mail you the new flex pass but you have to return the old one in the same envelope and they pay the postage too.

So just to make it clear, you were able to drop off the tags without paying poatage? Cause I got new tags and will reuse the bag. I'm just afraid that the post office will charge me anyways even though the tag says poatage is guaranteed

 

[Paulo666]

My question is, is the only way they are detecting HOV cheats by local CHP enforcement then?

Andrew I answered your other question earlier ^. They use CHP but not necessary since the cameras are pretty high tech. I saw the special on tv about it, HD cameras and there made to catch cheaters. They said you will be caught. I'm thinking there just going to mail you the ticket and its steep $490. Ouch

You don't need the flex pass but it's convenient. The old fastrak still works but you don't have the option to switch to 2 or more people. Now you will get charged even if you have 10 people in the car. The cameras will prove that you are right and you can get a refund but that's a huge hassle.

I went to Tahoe with 4 people and my old fastrak beeped like 6 times. That's like 6x$1.25

Get the flex pass

 

[Paulo666]

So just to make it clear, you were able to drop off the tags without paying poatage? Cause I got new tags and will reuse the bag. I'm just afraid that the post office will charge me anyways even though the tag says poatage is guaranteed

Postage is paid long as it's mailed anywhere in the good ol USA. Full instructions are in the envelope on how to mail it back exactly.

 

[Gawernator]

Andrew I answered your other question earlier ^. They use CHP but not necessary since the cameras are pretty high tech. I saw the special on tv about it, HD cameras and there made to catch cheaters. They said you will be caught. I'm thinking there just going to mail you the ticket and its steep $490. Ouch

You don't need the flex pass but it's convenient. The old fastrak still works but you don't have the option to switch to 2 or more people. Now you will get charged even if you have 10 people in the car. The cameras will prove that you are right and you can get a refund but that's a huge hassle.

I went to Tahoe with 4 people and my old fastrak beeped like 6 times. That's like 6x$1.25

Get the flex pass

Definitely will... Jeez. Is it like the bridge where if you go through without your transponder on you they just bill it to your account from your license plate?

 

[HeatXfer]

FYI - I don't believe the mylar bag is an effective RFID blocker. I've heard my Xponder beep while inside the bag. Might be because the open end wasn't folded over, but they're not made to be sealed.

 

[Gawernator]

Andrew I answered your other question earlier ^. They use CHP but not necessary since the cameras are pretty high tech. I saw the special on tv about it, HD cameras and there made to catch cheaters. They said you will be caught. I'm thinking there just going to mail you the ticket and its steep $490. Ouch

You don't need the flex pass but it's convenient. The old fastrak still works but you don't have the option to switch to 2 or more people. Now you will get charged even if you have 10 people in the car. The cameras will prove that you are right and you can get a refund but that's a huge hassle.

I went to Tahoe with 4 people and my old fastrak beeped like 6 times. That's like 6x$1.25

Get the flex pass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbIMNmeftxc

according to that, $238 if CHP catches you without a transponder, $490 for crossing the double white lines, and $490 again for potential carpool cheat? ...

 

[domingo3]

I have been commuting using the express lanes on 580 near Livermore ever since they opened. I have a flex pass registered with my bike. I may have forgotten to take the pass with me one or many times, and have not had an issue yet.

 

[eBay Mike]

Bump.

Can someone with expertise clear this up?

Is there any HOV/express lanes in the Bay Area that motorcycles aren’t allowed?

Sometimes you see a sign that says “motorcycles ok”. Sometimes not.

If I have my fastrak set to 3, am I good to go?

 

[sniper1rfa]

Bump.



Is there any HOV/express lanes in the Bay Area that motorcycles aren’t allowed?

HOV lanes and express lanes aren't the same thing.

If it's marked as an HOV lane, motorcycles can go in it. IIRC, this is actually tied to requirements from federal dollars used for building HOV lanes.

Express lanes are *usually* but not *always* marked as HOV lanes. If it's marked as an HOV lane, then bikes are considered high occupancy.

 

[cg_ops]

Bump.

Can someone with expertise clear this up?

Is there any HOV/express lanes in the Bay Area that motorcycles aren’t allowed?

Sometimes you see a sign that says “motorcycles ok”. Sometimes not.

If I have my fastrak set to 3, am I good to go?

From the Fastrak site:

If you are riding a motorcycle, you may ride in Bay Area Express Lanes toll free.

I-680 Sunol Express Lanes

There are no special instructions or requirements to use express lanes if you are riding a motorcycle. If you have a FasTrak toll tag, put it in the Mylar® bag that came with the tag to avoid detection and toll collection. If you have a FasTrak Flex toll tag, set it to position 3+ prior to starting your trip.

I-580, I-680 Contra Costa and SR-237 Express Lanes

A FasTrak Flex toll tag is required for motorcycles to travel toll free in these express lanes. Set the switch on the face of the tag to position 3+ prior to starting your trip to travel toll free.

Honestly, I think it's stupid and that motos should have the explicit option to forego using a transponder if the plate is clearly visible. The tag will be identified as registered to a motorcycle vehicle type and should automatically bypass billing or be considered HOV for toll purposes. IMO, I think its done this way to garner a few extra bucks from riders that forget to set their transponder to 3+, knowing few, if any, will contest/correct the charges.

 

[eBay Mike]

HOV lanes and express lanes aren't the same thing.

If it's marked as an HOV lane, motorcycles can go in it. IIRC, this is actually tied to requirements from federal dollars used for building HOV lanes.

Express lanes are *usually* but not *always* marked as HOV lanes. If it's marked as an HOV lane, then bikes are considered high occupancy.

Dang it, that’s what I thought.

 

[eBay Mike]

From the Fastrak site:



Honestly, I think it's stupid and that motos should have the explicit option to forego using a transponder if the plate is clearly visible. The tag will be identified as registered to a motorcycle vehicle type and should automatically bypass billing or be considered HOV for toll purposes. IMO, I think its done this way to garner a few extra bucks from riders that forget to set their transponder to 3+, knowing few, if any, will contest/correct the charges.

Thanks. Yea, I don’t usually bring my fastrak on my bike (no mounting on my bare Aprilia, no tank bag etc). They say put it in your pocket. Can the transponder really work through a thick bike jacket?

I guess I’ll have to find a way to mount a fastrak…..ugh.

And yes I’ve paid a few dollars in the scenario you describe and was too lazy.

 

[cg_ops]

Thanks. Yea, I don’t usually bring my fastrak on my bike (no mounting on my bare Aprilia, no tank bag etc). They say put it in your pocket. Can the transponder really work through a thick bike jacket?

I guess I’ll have to find a way to mount a fastrak…..ugh.

And yes I’ve paid a few dollars in the scenario you describe and was too lazy.

I used to keep my one-and-only "dumb" (non Flex) transponder in the bottom of my backpack and never had an issue... then again, I wouldn't know if it didn't go off since my plates are registered to my account. I went ~2 years without using the transponder in my truck or bike and never had an issue.

That said, that was before the recent addition/expansion to the 680 Express lane. I recently picked up 2 of the Flex tags so that I can use the express lane. I heard it beep multiple times from the center console of my truck.

I plan on permanently installing the motorcycle Flex tag in the 3-position on the bike. I'm looking at under the front headlight, behind my license plate, behind my front fairing, or behind the windscreen (which I still need to buy/install)

 

[Kornholio]

Bump.

Can someone with expertise clear this up?

Is there any HOV/express lanes in the Bay Area that motorcycles aren’t allowed?

Sometimes you see a sign that says “motorcycles ok”. Sometimes not.

If I have my fastrak set to 3, am I good to go?

It already has. You can ride toll-free in any FasTrak HOT lane in the Bay Area. You don't need to have the transponder either. I've never had a transponder on my motorcycles and have never been charged while using the lanes on a motorcycle either. Register your plate(s) with your account and don't worry about it. It really only matters if you're driving a car and want to use the lanes. FasTrak, the DMV and all LEOs already know motorcycles can use the HOT lanes for free.

 

[eBay Mike]

Thanks guys. I now feel 100% good to go.

Just for the hell of it I ordered another flex tag and will find a hidden spot and mount it. Maybe the pillion storage…

 

[cg_ops]

It already has. You can ride toll-free in any FasTrak HOT lane in the Bay Area. You don't need to have the transponder either. I've never had a transponder on my motorcycles and have never been charged while using the lanes on a motorcycle either. Register your plate(s) with your account and don't worry about it. It really only matters if you're driving a car and want to use the lanes. FasTrak, the DMV and all LEOs already know motorcycles can use the HOT lanes for free.

Unless I'm misreading something, that's only true for 680 Sunol, not for 580, 680 in CoCo, and 237. I just learned about it today, after this thread got me curious and did some digging (not bashing your input). Here's the relevant snippet from my previous reply, after digging around FasTrak's website FAQ

I-680 Sunol Express Lanes

There are no special instructions or requirements to use express lanes if you are riding a motorcycle. If you have a FasTrak toll tag, put it in the Mylar® bag that came with the tag to avoid detection and toll collection. If you have a FasTrak Flex toll tag, set it to position 3+ prior to starting your trip.

I-580, I-680 Contra Costa and SR-237 Express Lanes

A FasTrak Flex toll tag is required for motorcycles to travel toll free in these express lanes. Set the switch on the face of the tag to position 3+ prior to starting your trip to travel toll free.

 

[Kornholio]

It isn't. It never has been and I'm certainly not the only motorcyclist that has never been charged for using it. I use all of the Express Lanes on a motorcycle all the time. You're never going to be charged as the state is required to make those lanes free for motorcycle use in order to receive federal highway funds. They're absolutely not going to jeopardize that over whether or not a motorcyclist was carrying a transponder.

 

[sacraficemygoat]

Just to make things clearer, i'm commuting from Napa to SF for appointments (taking both Golden Gate and Bay Bridge depending on where I need to go), I don't need any type of fastrak transponder?

Also, I will not get charged any fees on a motorcycle? Do I have to ride in the Express lane/HOV lane in order to avoid fees? Do I need to make an account and register my plates?

Sorry, just a bit confused with the whole thing. I'd love to avoid having to pay fees though. Thanks.