91 Freeway Drivers Under Watchful Eye For Fastrack 3+ Carpool Scofflaws

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Drivers, your free ride on the toll road is over, says the Riverside County Transportation Commission. The department is halting Toll Road "cheaters" from using the 3+ discount, according to a recent release.

Ariel Alcon, spokesperson for the commission, has seen it all. "We've seen cheaters use hats on headrests, put items in baby carseats, or even use mannequins to try to get the HOV+ discount."

Thus far, the system is catching those who "cheat," and dinging them with an added fee. With roughly 25,000 drivers "caught" abusing the 3+ carpool savings, that amounts to about $125,000 in added revenue for the commission.

The new cameras, according to media reports, capture photos of each vehicle fro mteh front windshield, and flag violators. If the driver does not qualify for the three person carpool discount, they are billed a $5 fee. The cameras are halting challenges reported for the fee, according to Alcon.

Ordinances for the RCTC state that

all vehicles that travel on the Riverside Express Lanes shall have a Transponder located in or on the vehicle in a location so as to be visible for the purpose of enforcement at all times when the Vehicle is located on the Riverside Express Lanes as prescribed by Code Section 23302 (a)(2), unless otherwise permitted by the operating policies of theCommission.

"Vehicles using the designated carpool lane or declaring carpool occupancy utilizing technology implemented or approved by the Commission without the qualifying number of vehicle occupants will be subject to payment of the full price Toll charge and may be subject to a penalty."

For now, the commission aims to keep traffic flowing on the 91 Freeway. "The 91 Express Lanes in Riverside County are dynamically priced, meaning toll rates are based on real-time traffic conditions and vary according to the level of congestion," the commission says. "That dynamic pricing aims to keep traffic in the Express Lanes flowing smoothly, resulting in a more reliable trip. The toll is higher when there is more traffic in the Express Lanes and lower when traffic is lighter.

The price can change as frequently as every three minutes and will be reflected on the toll rate signs. The toll displayed on the sign is the amount that will be charged even if it changes during the trip."

If the driver is in an electric vehicle, that no longer matters, according to a new state law.

California's Clean Air Vehicle decal program, which allowed clean-air vehicle drivers to go solo through HOV lanes since 2000, ended Sept. 30 after Republicans in Congress voted not to renew it. Discounts for bridges and express lanes currently offered to electric vehicles also ended Sept. 30.