Los Angeles Metro Express lanes free starting Feb. 24

For those of us who regularly (or irregularly) drive the Metro Express lanes on the 110 and 10 freeways, they are free forever starting tomorrow. Just set your transponder to "3", and you are good to go, as long as you have the white sticker on your RAV. If you don't have a switchable transponder, you can swap for one.

This is a big deal, since rush hour one-way fees are sometimes over $14. I've spent $200 some months. But it saves me 30 minutes each way, so whatever the cost, it's worth it. I really like going 60, when the lane next to me is going 6.

So, chalk up another in the long list of reasons to drive an EV. :mrgreen:

Thanks for letting us know. That's good news. I wonder if they will also stop charging the maintenance fee for users that don't use these Express lanes that often.

I use the Express lanes at least once a week. I thought March 1 was the starting date. How are we so lucky to get it 5 days early?

Ampster said:

I use the Express lanes at least once a week. I thought March 1 was the starting date. How are we so lucky to get it 5 days early?

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Me too, but this is what Metro posted on their Facebook page:

MORE DETAILS FOR WHITE AND GREEN STICKER TOLL-FREE Travel beginning Feb. 24: To obtain your toll-free trip, set your transponder to switch position 3 (3+ person carpool) prior to starting your trip. Reminder that only vehicles with a DMV issued White or Green Clean Air Vehicle Decal will be toll-free. All vehicles, including Clean Air Vehicles are required to have a FasTrak® transponder while travelling on the ExpressLanes. http://ow.ly/tHz7s
Details on the Clean Air Vehicle Program via DMV is here: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/decal.htm

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How much are the transponders?

fireandmewzik said:

How much are the transponders?

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The transponders cost $30 at Costco or Albertsons. You can also buy it at one of the Metro offices. But when you set up your account, you get a $40 credit. They've also stopped charging a maintenance fee. But you will have to link a credit card to the account, which gets debited anywhere between $20-$100 when your account reaches a certain level. Your threshold will be low since the lanes are free.

The Metro Express lane $3/month maintenance fee is only currently waived for Los Angeles County residents. I live in Orange County and this fee is not waived. Most of the time I don't use these lanes at least 4 times per month that could also waive the maintenance fee.

tjka4231 said:

The Metro Express lane $3/month maintenance fee is only currently waived for Los Angeles County residents. I live in Orange County and this fee is not waived. Most of the time I don't use these lanes at least 4 times per month that could also waive the maintenance fee.

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That's a stupid rule. Why should it make any difference where you live? It's not like it costs them anything to have your account active. Imagine if Chargepoint charged $3 month. Would any of us ever sign up?

tjka4231 said:

The Metro Express lane $3/month maintenance fee is only currently waived for Los Angeles County residents. I live in Orange County and this fee is not waived. Most of the time I don't use these lanes at least 4 times per month that could also waive the maintenance fee.

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Apparently the waiver is only until Oct 25, 2014 (six months).

http://thesource.metro.net/2013/04/25/metro-board-approves-waiving-account-maintenance-fee-for-metro-expresslanes/

If I read this correctly, the reason why it's only for 6 months is because they fear that those registered in the system under other counties will change over to L.A. County to avoid fees imposed by the other counties. Sounds like OC and San Diego Counties need to step up.

For those folks who don't use the 110 that often but still want to get a transponder and avoid the monthly fee....sign up for the 91 Express Lanes. They offer a free drive or 50% discount depending on time of day on the 91 to pure electric vehicles AND they don't charge a monthly fee. They don't typically provide folks with the switchable transponder needed for the 110 but when you sign up, be sure to ask for that version of the transponder.

http://www.91expresslanes.com/signup.asp

Todd said:

For those folks who don't use the 110 that often but still want to get a transponder and avoid the monthly fee....sign up for the 91 Express Lanes. They offer a free drive or 50% discount depending on time of day on the 91 to pure electric vehicles AND they don't charge a monthly fee. They don't typically provide folks with the switchable transponder needed for the 110 but when you sign up, be sure to ask for that version of the transponder.

http://www.91expresslanes.com/signup.asp

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Thanks Todd. I'll sign-up for the 91 Express Lanes.