Press Releases

For Immediate Release

FasTrak® Processing Returns to

Toll Discount Sparks Runaway Success

Contacts:

John Goodwin, MTC
510.817.5862

Randy Rentschler, MTC
510.817.5780

OAKLAND, Calif., August 16, 2004...The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), in its role as the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA), reported today that motorists who open a FasTrak® account can once again expect to receive their electronic toll collection transponders via U.S. mail within seven to 10 business days of application. Heavy enrollment during June and July had created a backlog at BATA’s FasTrak® customer service center in Concord and extended the processing time for many applications submitted via mail or the Internet to 15 business days or longer. The center’s volume of incoming phone calls remains exceptionally high, leading many customers to receive a recorded message asking them to call back later.

The recent surge in popularity of the FasTrak® system is driven in large part by the $1 toll discount available through October 31 to drivers who use FasTrak® to pay their tolls on the Bay Area’s seven state-owned toll bridges. The discount went into effect July 1 — the same day cash tolls on these bridges rose $1 as a result of Regional Measure 2, the regional traffic relief plan approved by Bay Area voters in March 2004.

“Demand for FasTrak® has topped even the high side of our projections,” said Rod McMillan, MTC’s Bridge and Highway Operations Manager, explaining that MTC had expected the temporary toll discount to spark a rise in the number of incoming FasTrak® applications to a range of 4,000 to 5,000 per week in early July. MTC found itself underprepared for the tidal wave of applications that swamped the customer service center. During the last week of June, the Concord center received more than 19,000 applications.

“Over the long term, that’s good news for the battle against congestion,” observed McMillan, “because it means a lot fewer people will need to stop at toll plazas. But in the near term, it’s led to some understandable frustration for drivers who have been delayed in receiving their transponder, and haven’t been able to get through on the phone to learn the reason for the delay.”

To meet the demand for transponders, the FasTrak® customer service center hired 20 temporary staff members, and has been working seven days a week to whittle down the backlog of unfulfilled account applications. Motorists submitting an application today can expect their transponders to go into the mail within seven business days, and to receive their packages within 10 business days. Motorists who walk into the BATA FasTrak® customer service center at 1849 Willow Pass Road in Concord will receive their transponders immediately. Motorists also can apply online at <www.511.org> or order applications by telephone at 888.725.TRAK (8725).

FasTrak® is compatible on all Bay Area toll bridges including the seven state-owned bridges and the Golden Gate Bridge, which is operated by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. To open a FasTrak® account for use primarily on the Golden Gate Bridge, drivers can call 877-442-8655, visit <www.enrollwithfastrak.com, or go in person to the center at 23 Reed Blvd. in Mill Valley. A combined regional Fastrak™ customer service program that will service FasTrak® accounts for both BATA and the GGBHTD is set to open in June 2005.

MTC is the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

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