California’s 12-cent gas tax increase went into effect this month, and you’ll soon see the impact at gas stations throughout the state. We have a couple of ways for you to beat the tax hike:
Share the Ride – Whether you call it ridesharing or carpooling, it’s the same thing – sharing a ride and splitting the cost. Now that most people have smartphones, apps make it possible to carpool to work with just a little advance notice. 
The first step: visit our Carpooling Page. We’ll walk you through your options (some app-based, some not) and even tell you how carpooling might qualify you for a $25 incentive.
If you commute by driving to BART, there’s an additional perk for you: Scoop carpools are guaranteed a parking spot at a number of Contra Costa BART stations when they arrive before 10am. No need to get up super-early to get a space or roll the dice on a spot being available when you arrive – use Scoop to find a passenger for that empty seat & parking is yours! Plus, parking is free.
Get an Electric Vehicle – If you’re not ready to commute without driving, leasing or purchasing an electric vehicle not only lets you avoid paying the gas tax, but vehicles which are 100% electric get toll-free access to the Express Lanes. Electric vehicles are also allowed in the HOV lanes during carpool hours, even if it’s a solo commute.
For more information on the benefits of driving an electric vehicle, visit our Electric Vehicle Incentive Programs page.
Tag: FasTrak
I-580 Express Lanes Now Open (2016)
The I-580 Express Lanes through Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore are now open! Here’s what you need to know to use them:
- All drivers will need a FasTrak® or FasTrak® Flex toll tag and valid FasTrak account to use the lanes.
- The Express Lanes will be toll-free for carpools, vanpools, eligible clean-air vehicles, buses and motorcycles with a FasTrak Flex toll tag.
- Solo drivers will have the option of paying to access the Express Lanes using a standard FasTrak or FasTrak Flex toll tag set to ‘1’.
- The Express Lanes will look and feel like carpool lanes, allowing motorists to enter and exit almost anywhere along the corridor.
- The Express Lanes will operate Monday through Friday, from 5-8pm. Outside of these hours, the Express Lanes will be open to all vehicles at no charge and with no toll-tag requirements.
For more information, visit Alameda CTC’s I-580 information page.
Construction: I-680 from Walnut Creek to San Ramon (Through Fall 2016)
Construction of a portion of the Bay Area Express Lanes on I-680 (between Walnut Creek and San Ramon) has begun and is scheduled to last approximately 15 months. Construction includes installation of variable message signs and overhead toll readers, concrete foundations for overhead freeway sign structures, and laying conduit and fiber optic communications cables for traffic management system communications.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is scheduling construction work so that it will have minimal impacts on traffic. Construction will mainly occur at night, although there may be occasional activity on the shoulder and on arterial streets adjacent to the highway during the day to complete the communications network. Nighttime construction will typically involve closing one or two highway lanes, depending on the nature of the work.
Express Lanes are specially-designated highway lanes that offer toll-free travel for carpools, vanpools, transit, motorcycles and eligible clean air vehicles. Solo drivers also have the choice to pay a toll to use the lanes for a more reliable trip. The Express Lanes between Walnut Creek and San Ramon will have an open access configuration, similar to HOV lanes.
The I-680 Express Lanes between Walnut Creek and San Ramon are scheduled to open in fall of 2016. For more information, you can visit bayareaexpresslanes.org or email info@bayareaexpresslanes.org to request project updates.
Construction is a dynamic process and information is subject to change without notice. Work is subject to weather conditions.
I-680 Express Lane to Open 20 September
A 14 mile stretch of Southbound I-680 will feature an express lane as of next Monday, 20 September. Although the new lane will not cross into Contra Costa County, it is a sample of what could potentially develop into an “800 mile network of express lanes,” which will cover the Bay Area and the surrounding region.
Express lanes, which have proved successful in other cities such as San Diego, Denver, and Minneapolis, should encourage traffic to flow more smoothly and help raise money for other transit options- solo travelers who use the express lane will have to pay a toll via Fastrak, which will vary depending on traffic levels.
The California Highway Patrol will be on the lookout for those who illegally cross the double white lines between the three designated entry and exit points as well as for folks who do not have FasTrak transponders in their vehicles.
For more info about the Express Lane, visit the I-680 Express Lane website.
July 1st Bay Area Bridge Toll and SamTrans Increase FAQ
The July 1st toll changes on all state-owned Bay Area bridges will affect almost all motorists, including carpoolers and motorcyclists. Find out how your commute will be affected by reading our FAQ. If you have a question that isn’t answered, please leave a comment below.
1. What are the new tolls for regular/single commuters during peak and non-peak commuting hours?
- Golden Gate Bridge – The toll on the Golden Gate Bridge remains the same for two-axle vehicles: $5 with FasTrak, $6 cash
- San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge – Weekdays (Monday-Friday) from 5-10 AM and 3-7 PM: $6
- All other bridges* – Every day, all day: $5
- Weekdays (Monday-Friday) at all other times: $4
- Weekends (Saturday and Sunday): $5
2. What is the discounted toll for carpoolers during peak hours?
- Peak/carpool hours are Weekdays (Monday-Friday) from 5-9 AM and 4-6 PM
- Golden Gate Bridge – With FasTrak: $3. There is no dedicated carpool lane, so you must stop in a staff-toll lane to be accurately registered as a qualifying carpool.
- All other bridges* – $2.50. You must use a designated carpool lane to qualify for the discount.
Continue reading “July 1st Bay Area Bridge Toll and SamTrans Increase FAQ”
This Week's Headlines in Transportation & Transit: May 8-14, 2010
Upcoming Events & Meetings
- Friday May 14, 2010, by 5 PM – Last day to submit your photos and videos from Bike to Work Day 2010 to enter our drawing for $25 to Peet’s Coffee & Tea!
- Wednesday May 26, 2010 – AC Transit public hearing on proposed service reductions plan
Local News (Contra Costa County & East Bay)
- Happy Bike to Work Day from 511 Contra Costa!
- Orinda, Lafayette, and Livermore added to list of sites for BART solar projects
- Motorcycle parking temporarily relocated at Pleasant Hill BART Station
- Downtown Livermore is ready for Lance Armstrong and 2010 Amgen Tour of California
- AC Transit invites public comment on second proposed service cut of 2010
Bay Area & California News
- Avoid paying higher tolls by using FasTrak
- BART debates how to reward riders with $5 million
- Bridge tolls will increase on July 1, 2010
- BART will run early for Bay to Breakers this Sunday, May 16, 2010
- Bay Bridge S-Curve warnings going away
To receive additional updates and enter our monthly drawing for $25 to Peet’s Coffee & Tea:
