DUFFM4N
04-25-2008, 12:01 PM
....well if you live in socal area, and use the 10 and 210 carpool lanes often...get ready to shell out some dough!
taken from
http://www.myfoxla.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6391420&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
LOS ANGELES -- In the future, commuters will have to pay to travel on what are now free carpool lanes on at least two Los Angeles freeways, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board decided today.
The MTA voted to accept $213.6 million in federal transportation funds, but the money comes with strings -- carpool lanes on the San Bernardino (10) and Foothill (210) freeways must be turned into toll lanes.
If funding can be found, carpool lanes on the Harbor (110) Freeway south of downtown would also become pay-to-drive lanes.
"This is one important tool that we can use to relieve the traffic and gridlock in this region," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who sits on the Metro Board.
The pilot program will affect the 10 Freeway between the Long Beach (710) and San Gabriel (605) freeways, and the 210 Freeway along the El Monte Busway, Metro officials said.
The cost of the tolls was not immediately determined, but it will likely vary, based on the time of day, with higher prices charged during rush-hour traffic.
"It makes a disincentive for solo driving, that's for sure," said Dave Sotero, Metro spokesman.
The federal funding had originally been intended for New York City, but the New York Legislature failed to approve a congestion pricing program.
"I can't think of an opportunity when we've had an opportunity to eat New York City's lunch," said Metro Director David Fleming.
Revenues generated by the tolls would be reinvested in the communities along the transit corridors from which they were collected, said Metro Director John Fasana.
"This is a great opportunity, not just to think out of the box, but to begin to try those new initiatives that have been tested, not just here, but around the world, and it worked," Villaraigosa said.
Comparable programs have been used in London, Singapore and Stockholm.
The decision to charge commuters to drive on certain freeway lanes comes as gas prices are at record levels and the MTA is seeking cutbacks to bus service, although the Metro board today rejected a proposal to eliminate or reduce service on 29 bus lines.
Metro is also seeking to ask voters in November to approve a half-cent increase in the county sales tax to raise an estimated $700 million annually for the transportation agency, which claims it is facing a projected $1 billion deficit over the next 10 years.
...pros? cons?
anyone else already have experience with toll roads care to give their opinion about how they like or dislike them?
i know the 91 has a toll road, but i dont really travel down that way much...so i cant say i have much experience dealing with that
taken from
http://www.myfoxla.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6391420&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
LOS ANGELES -- In the future, commuters will have to pay to travel on what are now free carpool lanes on at least two Los Angeles freeways, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board decided today.
The MTA voted to accept $213.6 million in federal transportation funds, but the money comes with strings -- carpool lanes on the San Bernardino (10) and Foothill (210) freeways must be turned into toll lanes.
If funding can be found, carpool lanes on the Harbor (110) Freeway south of downtown would also become pay-to-drive lanes.
"This is one important tool that we can use to relieve the traffic and gridlock in this region," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who sits on the Metro Board.
The pilot program will affect the 10 Freeway between the Long Beach (710) and San Gabriel (605) freeways, and the 210 Freeway along the El Monte Busway, Metro officials said.
The cost of the tolls was not immediately determined, but it will likely vary, based on the time of day, with higher prices charged during rush-hour traffic.
"It makes a disincentive for solo driving, that's for sure," said Dave Sotero, Metro spokesman.
The federal funding had originally been intended for New York City, but the New York Legislature failed to approve a congestion pricing program.
"I can't think of an opportunity when we've had an opportunity to eat New York City's lunch," said Metro Director David Fleming.
Revenues generated by the tolls would be reinvested in the communities along the transit corridors from which they were collected, said Metro Director John Fasana.
"This is a great opportunity, not just to think out of the box, but to begin to try those new initiatives that have been tested, not just here, but around the world, and it worked," Villaraigosa said.
Comparable programs have been used in London, Singapore and Stockholm.
The decision to charge commuters to drive on certain freeway lanes comes as gas prices are at record levels and the MTA is seeking cutbacks to bus service, although the Metro board today rejected a proposal to eliminate or reduce service on 29 bus lines.
Metro is also seeking to ask voters in November to approve a half-cent increase in the county sales tax to raise an estimated $700 million annually for the transportation agency, which claims it is facing a projected $1 billion deficit over the next 10 years.
...pros? cons?
anyone else already have experience with toll roads care to give their opinion about how they like or dislike them?
i know the 91 has a toll road, but i dont really travel down that way much...so i cant say i have much experience dealing with that