In what may be a move toward peace with the Democratic Bay Area, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger -- after clashing with the East Bay over the Bay Bridge and an Indian mega-casino -- signed a bill Friday introducing toll lanes to the car-clogged region.
Employing a system proved to reduce traffic congestion, solo commuters on Interstate 680 over the Sunol Grade will soon be able to drive -- legally -- in the under-used carpool lanes by electronically paying variable tolls of about $4 to $8.
The bill, amended in the Legislature's frantic rush last month to end its annual business, opens the door to other so-called HOT-lane -- or High Occupancy Toll -- arrangements on other Bay Area freeways as well.
Oakland Tribune article
Employing a system proved to reduce traffic congestion, solo commuters on Interstate 680 over the Sunol Grade will soon be able to drive -- legally -- in the under-used carpool lanes by electronically paying variable tolls of about $4 to $8.
The bill, amended in the Legislature's frantic rush last month to end its annual business, opens the door to other so-called HOT-lane -- or High Occupancy Toll -- arrangements on other Bay Area freeways as well.
I thought the carpool lanes were there to spur people to carpool, cutting down on all traffic problems: congestion, gas consumption, pollution. Isn't charging solo drivers to use them sort of defeating the purpose? Oh well, apparently, people weren't urged to stop polluting and consuming, so why not make some money off them? On the other hand, couldn't all objectives be reached instead by adding the toll to the whole highway system on solo drivers using the non-carpool lanes, making carpooling yet more attractive, or at least not defeating the purpose of the carpool lanes?
But, what do I know?
....and hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
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