SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) — There’s outrage from many Bay Area drivers as recent express lane charges during the morning commute have now reached $20.
State and San Mateo County officials say it’s because there are more cars on the road.
It costs $20 during the morning commute to use express lanes in a section of Highway 101 from San Carlos to an area of Palo Alto.
Viewer Joe Villa shot some of the pictures and video above. He has his own opinion about it. “$20 for 10 miles. California is trippin’,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Twenty dollars for express lane. I get it. You want to get to work on time and everything, but that’s insanity!” said Astrian Cael, who is a mother of five kids. She isn’t happy with the rising prices either.
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To be clear, to use the express lanes, you need a FasTrak to pay for it, or a FasTrak Flex toll tag for those riding and getting the free carpool rate.
Twenty dollars, though, is one of the highest prices we’ve seen on these signs in the Bay Area — some even told us they’ve seen it at $22 recently.
“The way we are living out here for one bag of groceries — it’s like $100. So you want me to pay $20 just to get down the road? I’m taking my kid to basketball practice, and it’s taking me $14 to come from San Francisco to Belmont? That’s crazy. That’s insanity,” Cael said.
State and county officials tell us that as congestion goes up, the cost of the express lanes also goes up. They say there are more people on the roadway now, as more people have gone back to work.
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ABC7 News reporter J.R. Stone posted a picture of the high prices Thursday on Instagram and Facebook. Drivers have not been shy, voicing their anger over the high price, and asking where the money is going. Those involved with the state and county program say the money paid goes back to pay off the $100 million loan they took out for the program — that and operational costs.
Some, though, admit it works if you’re willing or able to pay.
“So, if you don’t mind spending. Yeah, if you don’t mind spending, you’ll cut down your commute by 20 to 25 minutes,” said Javaid Noori.
For individuals who earn under $81,000 a year, there is a Go Card program in San Mateo County that offers you $200 per year to help with these costs.
But at $20 a ride, that may not last long.
“That stuff is still a lot, a lot, and it’s hard for us. Especially working families in the Bay Area. It’s really, really hard,” Cael said.
After the story aired, San Mateo County Transit District Public Information Officer Randol White released the following statement:
“Funds from the 101 Express Lanes go right back into the community through our Equity Program, helping residents access more affordable and sustainable ways to get around. The $200 in GoCard credit stretches a long way-covering nearly 100 SamTrans rides-and can also be used on Caltrain, where riders can bypass the 101 traffic entirely. It’s a win-win: express lane revenues support smarter, more equitable transportation options while giving people real alternatives to driving alone.
The 101 Express Lanes in San Mateo County are designed to reward carpoolers. Drivers with three or more people in the vehicle travel for free, and two-person carpools pay half the posted toll.
Regardless of the rate for solo drivers, those who share a ride will always enjoy a significant discount or a free trip – a great incentive to carpool and help reduce congestion on our roads.”
White went on to say that peak tolls along the corridor range from $1.50 to $2 per mile which he says falls in line with industry standards nationwide.
He says that average tolls paid by users of the express lanes are significantly less than $20.
According to data White shared with ABC7 News, here are the averages for last year:
- Less than $3 – 56%
- More than $12 – 9%
White says the district does offer an equity program that gives qualifying residents money to spend on transportation and they are able to choose between several transportation options, including Clipper, FasTrak and more.
For more information about the program and how to apply, click here.
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