FasTrak/Express Lane and Motorcycles
- Thread starter Grissom
- Start date
orbframe
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this comes up a lot.
fastrak will say you're supposed to carry a toll tag and keep it on "3" to avoid being charged.
I never carry my toll tag, I ride it often on motorcycles with "regular" motorcycle plate numbers, e.g. 23N1234, and I have never ever ever ever been charged ever
Some people have said they get charged, but I believe they're running personalized plates and the plate reader doesn't know any better...
fastrak will say you're supposed to carry a toll tag and keep it on "3" to avoid being charged.
I never carry my toll tag, I ride it often on motorcycles with "regular" motorcycle plate numbers, e.g. 23N1234, and I have never ever ever ever been charged ever
Some people have said they get charged, but I believe they're running personalized plates and the plate reader doesn't know any better...
newbiker
Well-known member
So I got a ticket in the mail for ($31, incl other charges) running the bridge without paying toll. (my 1st time, I wasn't aware of this)
I am told by a friend that I could buy a FastFlex for $25 and have the toll charge to it ($6). Question - can I do this? Can I buy the Fastrak/FasFlex now and have a previous toll charged to it?
Thanks!
I am told by a friend that I could buy a FastFlex for $25 and have the toll charge to it ($6). Question - can I do this? Can I buy the Fastrak/FasFlex now and have a previous toll charged to it?
Thanks!
cheez
Master Of The Darkside
(Not a LEO)
I believe the answer is yes, even if they don't have a FasTrak account, as per CVC 21655 Motorcycles are always considered high occupancy vehicles. LEO patrol to ensure folks are considered HOV by reading the signal lights on the gantry and comparing to vehicle occupancy to detect toll evaders, but because M/C is always HOV, they should be exempt. They don't pull over folks who don't have tags; the system automatically bills the plate owner instead at the non-HOV rate.
FasTrak will say they want the tag on the bike with the transponder set to 3, but I don't run the tag on any bike and never pay a toll on the Flex lanes and always get the HOV toll on the Bay Bridge and other bridges (with all my bikes on my FasTrak account) so it's just to make their lives easier with not having to manually detect the M/C and mark it as HOV, as well as read the plate for the bridge toll.
YMMV of course.
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Shaggy
Zoinks!!!!
I’ve done something similar with new-to-me cars. When you set up the account, try backdating the active dates for the license plate.
I’m not sure if it works for new FasTrak accounts, but it definitely works for adding new vehicles to current accounts.
mayorofnow
Well-known member
I just got my first moto, and it still has dealer plates, so I've looked this up recently.
On their site (I believe it was the Bay Bridge's), they say you can get the ticket portion waved if you open a Fastrak account within the allotted window (30 days?). I called Customer Service, and the lady there confirmed that it works for multiple violations within the time window (the website just mentions the first one).
The lady also said that their system isn't smart enough to de-dupe dealer plates, so you have to add both the temporary and permanent license numbers to get the fees waved, if you've crossed with temporary tags.
When you sign up for Fastrak, there's a warning that you agree to assume any violations in the past 90 days.
bigpoppa
Well-known member
When the express lane on I-580 first opened motorcycles were required to have a Flex pass. I believe a few riders posted here that they received tickets for not having a Flex pass on that portion of the Interstate.
I haven't checked recently but I seem to remember the I-580 Express lane being the only one in the Bay Area that required motorcycles to have a Flex pass.
I haven't checked recently but I seem to remember the I-580 Express lane being the only one in the Bay Area that required motorcycles to have a Flex pass.
FreeRyde
The Curmudgeon
I was charged for riding in the HOV toll lane on 580, at the regular car rate, while I was riding for work. I talked to a really horrible lady at FastTrack who said I should have been carrying my flex pass on setting "free."
One would think their system could tell motorcycle plates apart from the rest of the lot, but apparently not.
I have a few bikes that don't get charged in the HOV lane, and a few that do. So now, I don't risk it and ride in the regular lanes of travel like the rest of the people.
One would think their system could tell motorcycle plates apart from the rest of the lot, but apparently not.
I have a few bikes that don't get charged in the HOV lane, and a few that do. So now, I don't risk it and ride in the regular lanes of travel like the rest of the people.
I was charged once that I'm aware of, and cleared it up I think by sending a message from the Fastrack website.
If I had a bike that got charged regularly I'd probably carry my transponder. I think their image recognition is learning though. My charge was pretty early on after the Flexpass 680 lanes opened. If you haven't tried it in a long time, might be worth trying again.
Which bikes get charged? Pics?
beaker
Well-known member
When HOT lanes first were getting built in Northern California there were media blitzes emphasizing that folks have to have a Flex transponder (converting a standard one if necessary) and motorcyclists should have it set to 3 when riding.
"A FasTrak toll tag is required to receive discounted tolls."
One time got dinged with normal auto rates when I forgot to have my transponder in my jacket pocket when crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. I would have contested it but a subsequent time I never saw a charge on my account so I'm considering it even. Don't commute enough over bridges so my sample size is limited.
While CHP generally are looking for carpool evaders in HOV/HOT, VC 23002 pretty much says you have to have a transponder on you or be cited for not having one and motorcyclists have been stopped for that in the past.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=23302
23002(a)(3) If a motorcyclist uses a transponder or other electronic toll payment device to lawfully enter a vehicle crossing or toll highway, the motorcyclist shall use any one of the following methods as long as the transponder or device is able to be read by the toll operator’s detection equipment:
(A) Place the transponder or other electronic toll payment device in the motorcyclist’s pocket.
(B) Place the transponder or other electronic toll payment device inside a cycle net that drapes over the gas tank of the motorcycle.
(C) Mount the transponder or other electronic toll payment device on license plate devices provided by the toll operator, if the toll operator provides those devices.
(D) Keep the transponder or other electronic toll payment device in the glove or storage compartment of the motorcycle.
(E) Mount the transponder or other electronic toll payment device on the windshield of the motorcycle.
"A FasTrak toll tag is required to receive discounted tolls."
One time got dinged with normal auto rates when I forgot to have my transponder in my jacket pocket when crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. I would have contested it but a subsequent time I never saw a charge on my account so I'm considering it even. Don't commute enough over bridges so my sample size is limited.
While CHP generally are looking for carpool evaders in HOV/HOT, VC 23002 pretty much says you have to have a transponder on you or be cited for not having one and motorcyclists have been stopped for that in the past.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=23302
23002(a)(3) If a motorcyclist uses a transponder or other electronic toll payment device to lawfully enter a vehicle crossing or toll highway, the motorcyclist shall use any one of the following methods as long as the transponder or device is able to be read by the toll operator’s detection equipment:
(A) Place the transponder or other electronic toll payment device in the motorcyclist’s pocket.
(B) Place the transponder or other electronic toll payment device inside a cycle net that drapes over the gas tank of the motorcycle.
(C) Mount the transponder or other electronic toll payment device on license plate devices provided by the toll operator, if the toll operator provides those devices.
(D) Keep the transponder or other electronic toll payment device in the glove or storage compartment of the motorcycle.
(E) Mount the transponder or other electronic toll payment device on the windshield of the motorcycle.
orbframe
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You are technically inaccurate however. Your statement earlier about needing the transponder for discounted tolls alludes to this.
VC 23002 also contains the following section:
the vehicle code said:
this section makes it legal to operate as long as your plates are properly attached. If motorcyclists are being stopped this would also be a consideration... I never carry my transponder on any motorcycle while riding
edit: i don't like the code tags... switching them to quote tags
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cheez
Master Of The Darkside
That's my point as well. The law being enforced is about toll evasion- there is no law against using the Flex lane without a transponder, just no guarantee of not being charged if they deem you a "single occupancy car" instead of a "motorcycle" when they review the encounter. These days it's all automated, so the ALPR system does the plate lookup and just doesn't charge (or applies the discount rate) if it's a registered M/C.
Because a M/C is always considered HOV under CVC, it should not require a transponder to be treated as a HOV within Flex lanes or at bridge crossings. That's my interpretation, at least.
Has anyone themselves ever been pulled over and accused of violating the HOV for being in the lane without a transponder? If yes, did you take it to the judge? Just curious here- if you've got a story to share I'd love to hear it.
orbframe
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two dan's.... overwhelming power!
cheez
Master Of The Darkside
two dan's.... overwhelming power!
Watch out, we'll get @DataDan to join in with some data on HOV lane violations issued per year, and instead of Double Dan, you'll have a Triple Dan situation.
orbframe
༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ
cheez
Master Of The Darkside
One dan appears
A second dan arrives
if we had another...
It also appears that Dans have excellent taste in motorcycles. Nice stable.
artyom666
orange
Here is my personal true experience, I also had thread started earlier this year about this.
Flex transponder doesnt function properly in HOV lanes on 580. I was getting charged about 10% of the the time. Transponder was mounted on the windshield and not obscured in any way.
Solution: dont carry it on the bike. Register bike at Fastrack and forget about it.
I had no problems in the last 3 month going on 580 and over bridges. I had zero problems without transponder since 2005. Only this year I put flex transponder on my bike because of the commute changes
Flex transponder doesnt function properly in HOV lanes on 580. I was getting charged about 10% of the the time. Transponder was mounted on the windshield and not obscured in any way.
Solution: dont carry it on the bike. Register bike at Fastrack and forget about it.
I had no problems in the last 3 month going on 580 and over bridges. I had zero problems without transponder since 2005. Only this year I put flex transponder on my bike because of the commute changes
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gixxerjeff
Dogs best friend
This sums up every single issue I've ever heard regarding Fastrack and motos.