Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: We had 2 people in the waiting room, and I think we lost them.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Oh, here we go.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Hi! Good evening, everyone. We're gonna get started in a couple of minutes. We're just gonna give folks a little bit more time to join, but welcome. Thank you so much for being here.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Alright. I think we can get started. I don't see more folks joining, so we'll go ahead and get started. Welcome. Everybody next slide, please.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Thank you so much for being here tonight. We just wanna welcome you. And
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: really, we're really grateful to for you to be here to join us for to learn about
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: I can't speak to learn about the Bayfa Toll Ordinance Amendment that we have some proposed changes to my name is Leslie La Rodriguez. I'm the assistant director for public engagement at Mtc. And our affiliate the Bay Area infrastructure, finance, authority, or Bayfa.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: I want to introduce my colleagues who are here tonight, who are ready to share this important information with you all and answer any questions you might have about tonight's topic.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: So we have with me Diana Dorenson, who will be presenting in a few minutes Chelsea Gamullo, who is also part of the Bayfa team. Barbara Lawrenson and Steven Wolf are here tonight, and then a couple of my
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: public information officer colleagues, Marcella Aranda and Alex Eisenhart, are here tonight to help with any technical support issues you have and help answer any questions as well. So we want to welcome you again to tonight's webinar on the proposed changes to the Express Lane toll facility, and we're ready to get started so we can go to the next slide, please.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: So to start things off, I'd like to briefly review the agenda, as well as go over the logistics that will allow you to participate fully in today's meeting. Today's webinar includes a live polling activity that we will be conducting.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: using Zoom's polling tools to get you familiar with the polling tool, we will start off with a brief icebreaker poll in just a few seconds. Here. We'll then move on to our presentation, where my colleague Diana, will provide an overview of the proposed changes to Bafa's Express Lane toll facility ordinance.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: and then we will break to answer your questions about tonight's presentation as well as the proposed ordinance changes, and we'll close with information on how you can submit comments
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: next slide
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: before we move on to the icebreaker, though I do want to also review the logistics for today's meeting. Please note that the webinar is being recorded. We ask that if you need technical assistance, please send a message directly to my colleagues, Alex or Marcella via the chat. They can help provide technical assistance through the chat
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: as I mentioned, there will be an opportunity to answer, to ask questions. Following the presentation.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: We ask that you please enter the questions into the Q. And A. Box. Don't enter the questions in the chat. Only the comments submitted via the Q. And a box will be addressed tonight. You can also submit written comments via email to express lanes@bayareametro.gov.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: And all of the comments that are submitted via email will share also some other ways that you can submit your comment. Those are the comments that will be entered into the public record.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: As I mentioned, the webinar is being recorded, we will post the slides,
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: and the recording to the address that's noted there on the screen. And just note that profanity, offensive language, and culturally insensitive language will not be tolerated at any time
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: next slide
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: alright. So to get you familiar with the zoom polling tool. We're gonna do this quick icebreaker, Poll, when I launch the poll.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: you're going to see a pop up window that will appear on the screen with the polling questions. I just want to emphasize. It's very important to know that, depending on the size of your screen, you may or may not be able to see the full question with all of the options. So we ask that you be sure to scroll down inside the little pop up window before you hit. Submit
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: to make sure that you see all the options, and can answer all the questions fully. Yeah, if you don't scroll down, you may miss a question and not submit a full response. So so we I'm going to launch our icebreaker, Poll.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: And oh, if we can go to the next! Oh, sorry we are on the slide. Sorry about that.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: it! You should be able to see the window on your screen with the icebreaker poll. Questions. There are 3 questions. 1st question is, what county do you live in?
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: The second question is, what county do you travel to? Most often for recurring trips, such as school or work?
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: And then the 3rd question is, how did you hear about this webinar? So the folks on the webinar would be so kind as to answer, enter your responses, we would be very grateful. We just want to get to know you get you familiar with the tool so that you're able to participate in the polls.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: I'll give you a few more
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: seconds here to finish submitting your responses.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: and if you're having trouble with the poll questions feel free to reach out via the chat to my colleagues and we can help
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: assist any way we can.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Alright, I'm gonna end the poll.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Thank you so much for participating in that next slide, please.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: I'm going to hand it off now to Diana, who's going to present the content of today's presentation, and then, after that we'll be breaking, for we'll be conducting a couple more a few more polls during her presentation, but we'll then break for any questions that you may have. Thanks.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Thanks so much, Leslie, and Hello, everyone. I am Diana Dorenson, a principal with the Express lanes team. If we can go to the next slide.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Yes, I'll give you a quick overview in today's session. We'll share an overview of Bay Area express lanes. The planned tolling rules for the future express lanes on i. 80, in Solano County, as well as proposed rule changes that would affect all Bayfa express lanes. These proposed rules are part of a Toll ordinance Amendment that will be considered for adoption by Bayfa in June 2025, and I'll also outline the process that gets us to that June 2025 potential approval date.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So if we can go to the next slide.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: so this is a section, we'll give you the overview of express lanes next slide, please.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So we'll start with what is Bafa. This acronym? The Bay Area infrastructure. Financing authority is a joint powers. Authority of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Mtc. And the Bay Area Toll Authority or Bada. So Mtc. Is the transportation planning, financing, and coordinating agency for the 9 County San Francisco Bay Area
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: and the Bay Area toll authority manages the toll revenues from the Bay Area's 7 state-owned bridges and Bata also manages fast track our electronic toll payment system. So combining these roles, Bafa oversees the financing, planning, and operations of Mtc's express lanes and related transportation projects
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: next slide, please.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So then, what are express lanes express lanes are designed to their designated highway lanes that are designed to manage traffic demand with tolls to offer more reliable trips. They encourage high occupancy, vehicles, and bus ridership by allowing carpools, Van Pools, buses, motorcycles, and eligible clean air vehicles to travel either toll free or to pay reduced tolls to use the lane.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: They also offer solo drivers the choice to pay a toll for a faster, more reliable trip as well with pricing the express lanes are not overcrowded even when traffic demand is high.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: the Federal law, allowing the cleaner vehicles to use the express lanes, is set to expire in fall 2,025. If the Federal law is not extended, clean air vehicle solo drivers would also pay full tolls after September 32,025
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: next slide, please.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Plans call for the Bay area to eventually have more than 860 miles of express lanes. The network vision is shown by the black, blue, and green lines. On this map
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: the vision proposes a robust regional network of dedicated lanes that primarily serve people in carpools and buses providing priority, and a more reliable trip, for those high occupancy uses
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: over 250 miles of express lanes are already in operation or under construction. Those are shown in blue and black. On the map.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: The map uses 2 different colors for the lanes that are open or under construction, because express lanes in the bay area are operated by several different public agencies.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: The lanes shown in black on the map are those managed by the Bay area infrastructure, financing, authority. Bafa. The lanes shown in blue are operated by our partner agencies, including the Alameda County Transportation Commission, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and the San Mateo County Express lanes joint Powers authority.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: the express lanes that will be affected by the toll ordinance we're discussing this evening are those operated by Bayfa and shown in black on the map.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: These include I, 6, 80 in Contra Costa County i. 8, 80, in Alameda County, and I 80 in Solano County, which would be added to Bayfa's network through this toll ordinance amendment
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: next slide, please.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So we're curious to get started. How familiar you are with express lanes. This will help us when we get to the Q. And a later, if we can launch that poll.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Here it is.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Are you very familiar? Used it all the time, maybe once in a while heard of it, never used it.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: or, you know, limited familiarity. This is really your 1st time. Can let us know.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Okay, thanks very much.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: To have some familiarity. That's good. So let's go on to the next slide.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: The next section. Here we're going to specifically spend a few minutes talking about the I. 80 express lanes in Solano County, including the plans for their opening and the proposed tolling rules next slide, please.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So this Toll Ordinance amendment includes the administrative changes that are necessary to formally add interstate 80 in Solano County to Bayfas, express lanes network.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: The I. 80 express lanes are 18 miles eastbound and 18 miles westbound between Airbase Parkway and I 505.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: This project broke ground in May 2022 major funding sources include 102 million dollars in regional measure, 3 bridge toll funds and 123 million dollars in State funding from the trade corridor enhancement program authorized under Senate Bill. One
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: construction is almost complete on the lanes themselves, and tolling equipment is currently being installed. Tolling is planned to begin in late 2025,
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: the tolls will manage traffic in the express lane. In real time, as traffic increases, tolls will increase as traffic decreases, the tolls will decrease and qualifying carpools will be able to travel for free in the express lanes
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: next slide, please.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So before the new construction started on a 80, there was already an existing Hov Lane segment in Fairfield, between Red Top Road and Airbase Parkway.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: It operates in the Peak, commute hours in both directions as an Hov. 2 facility, which means that only motorcycles and vehicles, with at least 2 people, may travel in the lane during those hours.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: A new extension of this Hov. Lane is being constructed further east from Airbase Parkway to interstate 505.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: The westbound lane through this segment opened to traffic in March, and the eastbound lane is coming in very soon, probably in May.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Towards the end of this year
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: the full extent of the Hov lanes existing and new will be converted to express lanes that will operate all day from 5 am. To 8 Pm.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Once tolling is in place, fast track will be required for all drivers who want to use the express lanes.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Drivers who use the lanes without fast track will incur penalty fees as well as the full toll
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: carpools with 2 people and eligible clean air vehicles will be allowed to use the lane for half price.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: The occupancy requirement for free travel in the lane will be 3 or more persons and motorcycles will also travel toll-free
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: solo drivers can choose to pay the full toll to access the express lanes.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: The rules for express lanes are enforced through a combination of automatic and in-person monitoring
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: license plate cameras identify vehicles that are traveling in the lanes without fast track and chp officers patrol the lanes to help verify vehicle occupancy, and to address violations of other traffic safety laws
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: next slide, please.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So now we have a poll question about you and I 80 or 2 poll questions. They'll they'll come up together. So if we can launch that
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: poll great.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So 1st question, how often do you travel on i. 80, in Solano County, through this section, Fairfield and Vacaville. We have a few options there
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: and then. The second question is a little bit about how you travel, you know. Select all, all of them that apply by yourself and carpools, Van Pools, etc. What kind of vehicle, what kind of mode.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Let us know what your usual trip patterns are.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: and maybe just a few more seconds, but might be
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: okay. There we go.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Thanks very much for your responses.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Okay, we will. Let's move on to the next slide.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Yes. So this next section describes other proposed changes in the Toll ordinance amendment. If we can go to the next slide.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: you know. So I have been talking about Interstate 80. But in addition to bringing I-eighty into the Bayfa Express Lanes network. The proposed Toll Ordinance amendment includes 4 new rules that, if adopted, would affect all of Bayfa's express lanes.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: First, st Bafa would extend the period for which it is allowed to conduct pilot programs on express lanes to evaluate different tolling practices and policies. Today pilots are limited to 3 years. This amendment would allow for an additional 3 years. In certain circumstances this means the maximum pilot duration would be 6 years.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: and second, to cover the cost of toll collection. Bayfa proposes to raise the minimum toll from 50 cents to 75 cents per toll zone on all Bayfa express lanes.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: 3, rd the clean air vehicle discount for using the lanes as a solo driver will expire on September 30, th 2025, when the Federal law that allows clean air vehicles to use carpool lanes expires unless the Federal law is amended prior to that date.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: and, 4, th the amendment proposes adjusting the boundaries of the toll zones on Southbound i. 680 to reflect future Lane configurations. The Alameda County Transportation Commission is constructing an extension to close the gap between their express lanes and Bayfas express lanes, and this will open early in 2026.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So can we go to the next slide?
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: We have one more poll question here. We want to know if you already have a fast track account. And there's different ways. You can have that account with a toll tag or license plate payments.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Let us know your current status. That's helpful.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Okay?
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Think we
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: probably have everything we need for those of you who don't have a fast track account. We just put some
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: a link in the chat that could be helpful for you.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Thanks very much.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Okay. Moving on
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: so so far. Can we go? Yes, so far, I've talked about the changes that are envisioned in this toll ordinance amendment process. And just since we have your attention this evening, we'd also like to take the opportunity to share information about 2 potential pilots that Befa is considering. So can we go to the next slide.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So these 2 potential pilots on I-eighty are not part of the toll ordinance revisions. They would be considered later in 2025 as a separate action by Bafa, but just to share the information with you now about what is being considered. The 1st pilot would allow eligible low income drivers to pay half price tolls to use the I 80 express lanes.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: This program is known as Express Lane Start, and it is already in effect on I-eight 180 in Alameda County.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: To be eligible drivers must have a household income below 200% of the Federal poverty level. They must be a resident of the 9 County Bay area and show proof of identity.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Approved applicants would need to get fast track to allow the 50% discount to be applied to any trip made in the participating express lanes.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So if the Express Lane Start program is expanded to the new I. 80 corridor pilot participants would receive the discount on any trip they make on the I 80 express lanes in Solano County, or the I 80. Excuse me, I. 880 express lanes in Alameda County.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: The second pilot would be tolling the I 80 express lanes on weekends. The Express Lane hours of operations under this pilot would be 5 am. To 8 Pm. 7 days a week to manage demand for the new lane capacity on weekends when traffic is currently heaviest. In this corridor.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: weekend tolling would have many benefits, including encouraging more carpooling, generating revenue from drivers passing through Solano County, giving weekend drivers the opportunity to pay for the faster, more reliable trips.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: increasing Chp presence presence in the corridor on weekends to improve safety and raising revenue for future investments in corridor mobility.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Can we go to the next slide?
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: All right? Actually, we might as well keep going. And now I'm switching back. So I've just been talking about these 2 pilots which are separate actions outside of the Toll Ordinance amendment. But now, returning to the toll ordinance amendment process. And what's going to happen just in the next few months?
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Right now, we're in a public comment period, a formal comment period for this Toll ordinance amendment
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: on Friday, May 9, th Bayfa will hold a public hearing to receive oral testimony on the Toll Ordinance Amendment changes that have been proposed. The hearing will be part of the regularly scheduled meeting of Bafa's Network and Operations Committee, which begins at 9 35 Am. On Friday, May 9.th
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Later that day the formal public public comment period on the amendment will close at 5 PM.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So all written and oral comments must be received by that time to be included in the official record
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: then in June, Bafa will consider whether to adopt the proposed changes to the Toll ordinance
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: at the meeting of the Bayfa Network and Operations Committee. On Friday, June 13, th Committee members will decide whether to recommend the proposed changes to the Full Board.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: The Committee may choose to approve the changes as proposed to amend the language before voting to approve or to decline to approve the changes.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: The recommendation from the Network and Operations Committee will then be referred to the full Bayfa Board for a final adoption vote.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: The committee's recommendations would be on the agenda for the regularly scheduled Bafa meeting, which is on Wednesday, June 25, th 2,025.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: If Bafa does adopt changes to the ordinance, they would become effective 30 days after the adoption vote in this case on July 25, th 2,025.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So can we go to the next slide?
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Yeah. So before we open it up for questions. We just want to gauge how we're doing with providing you the right information about this tool ordinance amendment. So we have 2 different questions. It's the same set of answers. We just want to know how much you understand about these topics based on the information presented. So in the 1st question, can you let us know which topics you understand? Well? And in the second question, can you let us know which questions which topics you still have questions about. We'd probably focus our attention there in the Q&A,
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: so we can pull that up, get folks to click in
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: can see a number of topics that we've touched on.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Go ahead and scroll down
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: again. The 1st set is the topics, you understand? Well, select all that apply. And the second question is the topics that you want to learn more about.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So we'll give a couple moments just because let everybody click in to all of the choices.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Oh, think we've got, folks answered. So the main areas that folks are wanting to hear more about.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: There we got some more how to qualify for discounted tolls, pilot programs and how to give public comment. Okay, so those are some good choices
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: for us to focus on.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Thanks very much.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Okay. So now, I believe we go to the next slide. I'm handing it back to Leslie
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: to steer us through the Q. And a.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Great. Thank you, Diana. Thanks for the presentation. Thank you to our participants who are here with us tonight. Welcome to the folks who joined a little late.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: We want to open it up for questions on the topics that we presented tonight. So if you have any questions or want any clarifications on the topics that Diana presented. Please feel free to either enter them into the Q. And a. Box, or, if you would like to
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: raise your hand and unmute yourself to ask your question. We would be happy to take your question, live, so we'll give folks a few seconds to type in questions, or maybe raise your hand. But before we get some questions, Diana, I wonder if you can speak a little bit more about
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: how folks pay their tolls on the Bay Area's express lanes.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Great yes, I'll I'll start with that and maybe I'll ask Barbara to jump in if there's anything I I miss so to use express lanes. All vehicles need fast track, and that's regardless of whether you're paying full price or you're eligible for a discounted price. Even drivers who are eligible for free trips need to have a fast track account so that the trips can be properly recorded. Use a fast track flex toll tag, which has a switchable
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: transponder to indicate the number of people in the car. So before you start your trip, if you're by yourself, you indicate one. If you have 2 people, 2 people, and if you're a 3 or more person, Carpool, you'd indicate 3,
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: and that will help the toll system understand the appropriate price to charge for the trip. So it's very important. Everyone has fast track. It's it's something that I know. A lot of folks don't understand, because the Hov lanes you just drive in and think, oh, free trip! But that's a real difference with express lanes. Barbara, do you want to add anything.
Staff: Barbara Laurenson, MTC/BAIFA: No, I think you got it.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Great thanks, Diana. We have a question from one of our participants tonight. Is the money received from tolls going to go to Solano county, and who is going to be managing these monies.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Okay, I'll start that one and maybe ask Stephen to jump in. So the money received from tolls, it's used for some different purposes. It's used 1st and foremost, to pay the operating costs of the toll system, and it's we're allowed to use it for any debt that we incur to do that, although right now we don't have any, and to also fund up reserves. So there's these
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: core uses off the top that get paid for. If there's money left over, it needs to be spent in the corridor from which it was generated. So if there is leftover money in the Solano 80 corridor that would be used to improve mobility along the I 80 corridor. Steven, do you have anything else to share.
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: You got it, Diana? Thank you.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Great.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Great. Thank you so much. Next question, based on some of the feedback we heard on the topics that we're still unclear. I wonder if you could speak a little bit about you know in what? In what ways can members of the public? And maybe you know other partners and stakeholders can be involved in discussions about the toll facility, ordinance amendment.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Yeah. I know we have a some slides later with the information written down. So folks need links and addresses and that kind of thing. We'll share that. But basically we are welcome. You know we're we're happy to receive your comments from now until 5 Pm. On Friday, May 9.th You can send them by email. You can go to our project website.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: You can send them by us mail, and we'll even take comments by fax. So any of those methods written comments will be accepted, and if people want to comment in person or live, they can attend the public hearing, which is Friday, May 9th in the morning
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: that can be either in person or there is a zoom option to attend the hearing, so any of those methods are available for people to let us know what they think about the Toll ordinance amendment process, and you know how things are emerging with these future pilots that might be under consideration.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Great thanks, Diana. One clarification on the previous questions on how to pay for your toll, so do folks need an actual transponder to indicate the number of occupants in the car.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Yes, it is important, and is different than the bridges. So right now the bridges will do license plate tolling where it just scans your plate and will send you an invoice. Express. Lanes operate differently, and you do need to have a fast track account if you have. If you don't have the switchable transponder. You'll be charged the full toll because there's no way for us to know what your vehicle occupancy status is.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Great. Thank you. We have. One more question. Can you? Can you tell us what is the penalty fee? If a person uses the express lane and doesn't have fast track.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: I am really hoping Barbara has that off the top.
Staff: Barbara Laurenson, MTC/BAIFA: my head. Yeah. So if you use the express lane and you don't have a fast track account, you will get an invoice in the mail, because the system will see your car and look at the license plate and find you, and send you an invoice for the toll that you should have paid as well as a penalty because you didn't have a fast track account.
Staff: Barbara Laurenson, MTC/BAIFA: and if you pay that penalty and the and the toll within. I think it's 30 days. The initial penalty is Steven. It's 10
Staff: Barbara Laurenson, MTC/BAIFA: 10, and then if you go past the initial 30 days and still don't pay. Then another penalty is tacked on for another $15, and so you'd pay your original toll plus a $25 fee. So it's a really good idea to get your fast track account and have your toll tag in the car, or have your license plate read and matched to your fast track account.
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: But for a 1st time user who receives a penalty. The penalty will be waived if that user signs up for fast track
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: and then for people who qualify as low income
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: those people, 200% of the Federal poverty level or below, they can have their penalties waived. If they pay the toll on a 1 time basis. There is a payment plan that is available
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: for people who qualify as low income.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Great. Thank you all so much. We have a raised hand in the room. So, Marisa, I'm gonna go ahead and unmute you. Or yeah, you can allow you to talk, and you can unmute yourself. And ask your question.
marisela: Yes, I actually have a question with about that, because
marisela: I travel. And so I did get a I guess maybe it's because a different type of link. My, but my penalty fee was $50. It was 3 50 for
marisela: using the lane. And then, yeah, if I don't pay in 30 days it was $50. Is this at Solano County is different, because this is a
marisela: not HOB. Or how does that differ from?
marisela: I got this. I guess I got ticketed in in San Ramon area.
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: And Ramon. On this.
marisela: Say goodbye.
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: 6, 80,
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: and $50 $50 doesn't register as an amount. So I I'm not sure. But
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: if you would like to reach out. I'm sure we can give her somebody's information. We can.
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: Friday. We are.
marisela: I just want to make sure that it's so. So one of county penalty fee will be the same throughout the whole 9 counties.
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: Throughout the 9 County Bay area. All express lanes. Operators have the same penalty structure which is $10 for the 1st notice
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: and 20 for the second
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: additional 20 the bridges are 5 plus 10. So if you don't pay in a certain amount of time on the bridges, it's 5 for the 1st and 10 additional for the second. So 50 is not a number that I'm familiar with. I'm aware.
marisela: Okay.
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: Before.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: I wonder wonder if it was
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: 2 trips, and then maybe each one had the total of 25. That might be 50. We can try to figure it out.
marisela: I'll go with the check as Oh, yeah, because the fee is 3 50, if I don't pay it within the 30 days is $3 and 50 cents, and if I don't pay it, it's gonna be $50 penalty added. So.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Hmm.
marisela: Okay.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Yeah.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Yeah, we can certainly provide Maricela with.
marisela: And that we remind. So is there you don't have like a prepaid system.
marisela: People like me that I don't really check my mail or my emails.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: But that is one of the benefits of using fast track is that you can preload money onto your account and have the tolls deducted from.
marisela: Okay.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: That preloaded funds. But I guess in your case you didn't have the account already.
marisela: Well, yeah, I don't. I have to check into it because it has automatic or credit cards. So.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Oh, okay.
marisela: Let's see.
marisela: Okay, thank you.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Yeah.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Thank you. Marisella, yeah, definitely, it's something that we can help you look into. We will share some the email information shortly, and you can certainly send us an email there, and we'll be happy to look into it.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Diana, based on some of the responses that we got from the poll question. I wonder if you can speak more about about how folks can qualify for discounted tolls.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Yes. So the program that I mentioned Express Lane start. It's in operation now on the I 880 express lanes in Alameda county only. But folks, any anyone in the 9 County Bay Area is welcome to register for the program if they have any reason to use. I 880. The eligibility criteria are number one. You must be a resident of the 9 County Bay area, so we'll ask for proof of Residency and some identity information like a driver's license, something like that.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: And then, to prove income, the criteria is to be at or below 200% of the Federal poverty level. And we accept evidence of enrollment in other benefits, programs like medi-cal as a potential proof of income. You go to our website, which is expresslane, start.org hopefully, somebody can drop that link back in the chat.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: You sign up for the program by giving us all that information, and you submit an application, and then our verifier checks it through the system. You do have to have fast track to get the benefit to receive the discount. And so you'll need to link your fast track account
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: to your express lane. Start account once you're approved, and so folks can get the discount that way. I don't know if there's any other details about that. There's more information on the website. You know all this detail, so you don't have to remember all of it there. Thanks very much for for the Chat Link Expresslane start.org has more information, and there's ways to contact us. If you have questions on that website.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Great. Thank you, Diana. One final question. If you could speak more about the pilot programs. You just mentioned express late start. But if maybe speak a little bit more about the the 2 potential pilot programs that could happen in the future.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Yeah. So continuing on the theme of Express Lane start, what we're talking about there is potentially presenting to our board the request to extend the program so that it would also apply on I-eighty in Solano County when those lanes open later this year. So the idea would be that the program would allow for discounts on 2 of the Bayfa Express lanes corridors i. 80 and I 8 80, with one discount program. So
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: remember, anyone in the 9 County Bay Area is already eligible to apply for this program. And so if you have trips on one quarter or the other, or both, and you're eligible for the program and approved. Then all of those express lanes trips would be discounted 50% from the price you would otherwise pay.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: So that's the idea of that pilot is, you know, it's already an existing pilot on one corridor, and we'd be expanding it to a second corridor.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: The other pilot that I mentioned it would just be on I-eighty and again subject to a future vote, not part of this Toll ordinance amendment, but later in the year. And that pilot program would be testing tolling on weekends as well as weekdays. So right now, all express lanes in the Bay area are Monday through Friday only, but this would be a pilot to test the effect of tolling all 7 days a week
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: for the the same set of hours, the same set of tolling rules on Saturdays and Sundays as well, because that corridor experiences a lot of congestion on the weekends. And so that pilot is something that is being considered in conjunction with the Solano transportation authority, Caltrans, all of our partners in the region. We're we're thinking about moving forward with that and and welcome your comments and feedback on that pilot, as well.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Great. Thank you so much, Diana. I just want to give folks another 30 seconds, maybe to ask any final questions, and while we give folks some more time if you could just briefly remind folks when the express lane, when tolling is expected to begin on the Solano corridor.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: Thanks very much for that question. We don't have an exact date right now. The construction contractors are out in the field right now, finishing up like folks who drive that corridor now have probably noticed all the work over the past several years. It's getting better all the time, but there's still a little bit more to do. Our toll system vendor is installing the cameras and other equipment in the field that all needs to be tested. And you know. Sometimes there are delays like, if there's bad weather.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: If there's other kinds of problems, you know, it can be a little bit delayed. So we're hoping for towards the end of 2,025. That's the schedule we're on track for right now.
Staff: Diana Dorinson, MTC/BAIFA: and we'll definitely be having a public information campaign much closer to that date as we approach. As we get a firm date and get closer to it, there'll be a lot of advertising in the corridor there'll be signage. There'll be a lot of ways that folks can know the exact date that tolling will begin. But look for late 2025.
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: Yeah, it's worth adding that the eastbound lanes are open as an Hov lane.
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: and the westbound lanes will be open in May sometime, we expect as an Hov lane.
Staff: Stephen Wolf, MTC/BAIFA: and and there's still work that will be going on to install the toll system. So toll system will turn on. As as Diana mentioned it, I think, towards the end of the the year 2025.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Great. Thank you both. So I'm gonna close the QA. Session. And if we could go to the next slide, please.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: so we're just gonna close with the next steps on the process. And if we could go to the next slide.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: So we invite you to participate in this process and submit your written comments before the close of the common period, which, as Diana mentioned, is 5 pm. On Friday, May 9, th
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: you can submit your comments online@mtc.ca.gov forward, slash bayfa, hyphen, toll, hyphen ordinance. My colleagues have shared the link in the chat. You can also send us an email to express lanes@bayareametro.gov.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: or you can send it via mail or fax via mail to the address on your screen, and by fax, if you still have one t04155369800.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Next slide.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: We also invite you to attend our upcoming public. Hearing that Diana mentioned earlier as well. That will be held on Friday, May 9, th starting at 9 35. If you want to submit comments in person. We are in San Francisco. You can also participate via Zoom, and provide your oral testimony during the meeting
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: next slide.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Before we close it off. We do have one final poll poll question, because we want to make sure we are always improving our engagement activities. So I'm gonna open the Poll shortly. But we want to know. You know, how you get your information. And then what? What are the specific sources where you seek out information about traveling traffic commuting, etc. So I'm gonna launch the poll poll quickly now.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: So 1st question is which media sources do you listen, watch or follow. Most most often you can select up to 3 choices.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: And then the second question is, which information sources do you seek out when you have questions about commuting and travel, and that one there. You can also submit up to 3 choices. So the poll is live. Now feel free to submit your responses.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: And we just want to thank you again for participating. Tonight we will be posting the recording of the Webinar on our website as a reminder. The public comment period closes on at 5 Pm. On May 9.th
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: If we could go to the next slide.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: Thank you so much. Thank you for taking the time we really value and appreciate you taking time out of very busy. We know we all very are very busy in the evening, so thank you for being here.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: and with that that is the end of our webinar tonight. If you have, if you need more information or have questions, please go to mtc.ca.gov forward slash, bafa, hyphen, toll, hyphen ordinance, and you can find more information about Bafa, the Toll ordinance amendment.
Staff: Leslie Lara-Enríquez, MTC/BAIFA: and we thank you again for your time, and for being here.