eGo CarShare & US 36 Express Lanes – Tolling Begins July 22nd

Switchable HOV Toll Transponders to be installed in all eGo CarShare Vehicles in Early August

The US 36 Express Lanes project is a multi-modal project to add an Express Lane in each direction of US 36 for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) and tolled Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOV). In addition to US 36, Express Lanes are, or will also be, available on I-25, C-470, and I-70.

Switchable HOV transponders will be available in all eGo CarShare vehicles by August 15, 2015. If you use the Express Lanes in a vehicle without a transponder prior to August 15th you will be responsible for paying the full toll even if you are a carpooler.

An overview video can be found here.

US36

 

US 36 will have 3 lanes of traffic in each direction. The far-right two lanes will be General Purpose/non-Tolled lanes. The far-left lane in each direction is the “Express Lane” which can only be used by buses, carpools, or toll paying solo drivers.

For carpooling and other commute options along US 36, please visit: http://36commutingsolutions.org/commuting-us-36/commute-options

It’s easy to use Express Lanes during your eGo CarShare trip! Check out the FAQs below for more details:

How do I use Express Lanes with eGo CarShare?

If you plan to use the Express Lanes locate the switchable toll transponder on the windshield below the rearview mirror when you start your trip. You’ll need to slide the tab to “TOLL” or “HOV” depending on how many people you have in the car:

  • If you are a carpooler (2 or more people in the vehicle): Slide the tab on the transponder to show the RED/HOV bar, and you can use the Express Lanes for FREE!
  • If you are traveling alone: Slide the tab on the transponder to show the GREEN/TOLL You will be billed for the toll amount listed on the overhead signs as you enter the Express Lanes. Tolls will vary depending on the amount of traffic in the Express Lane.
  • If you are traveling alone and do not want to incur Toll fees, simply drive in one of the two General Purpose (non-Tolled) lanes on the right side of US 36.

 

tolls

 

How much does it cost to use the Express Lanes?

If you are a carpooler with 2 or more people in your car, using the Express Lane is FREE as long as you switch your toll transponder to the RED/HOV bar. If you are driving alone be sure the transponder is switched to the GREEN/TOLL bar, or avoid using the Express Lane if you don’t want to be charged for toll fees. If you use the Express Lane as a SOV you will be billed for the toll amount listed on the overhead signs, plus a 10% processing fee to offset eGo’s cost of processing toll fees.

How will I be billed?

If you drive on a toll road (including E-470 and NW Parkway) any toll charges you incur during your trip will be billed to you on your monthly eGo CarShare invoice. Note, there is an additional 10% transaction fee for each toll charge to cover eGo’s processing costs.

Do I need to have my own transponder?

No. All of eGo’s cars will have switchable transponders installed by August 15th. All you have to do is make sure to select whether you are a carpooler (RED/HOV) or single occupancy vehicle (GREEN/TOLL).

How do I enter and exit the US 36 Express Lanes?

There are designated entrance/exit areas between each interchange that are clearly identified by overhead signs and pavement markings, or by a barrier. Travelers enter the lanes where the pavement stripes are a white dash, or when there is a break in the barrier. At all other areas, the Express Lanes are separated by a solid, double white line. Crossing double, solid white lines is prohibited.

How will they know who is carpooling and who is paying the toll?

The switchable HOV toll transponders in each eGo CarShare car signal whether you are using the Express Lanes as a carpooler or as a single occupancy vehicle (SOV). Be sure to switch the tab to RED/HOV for carpooling (currently defined as 2 or more people in a vehicle) or GREEN/TOLL for a single occupancy vehicle. Law enforcement will help enforce Express Lanes rules, making sure that those who identified themselves as carpoolers actually have enough people to use the lanes for free.

How can I get more information?

Call us at 303-720-1185 or visit the CDOT US 36 Express Lanes website: https://www.codot.gov/programs/expresslanes

For carpooling and other commute options along US 36, please visit: http://36commutingsolutions.org/commuting-us-36/commute-options/