91X ups tolls

Calif Private Transp Company (CPTC) owners of the 91 Express Lanes (91X) raised some of their tolls March 26. It was the first toll rate change since Jan 99. Tolls for Friday evening (3pm to 7pm) eastbound traffic on the 16km (10mi) road through the Santa Ana canyon are now $3.75. Only cars are permitted on the facility, which consists of 4-lanes in the middle of an 8-lane freeway. Tolling is entirely by transponder.

CPTC says that traffic in this time-slot has increased 16% or 225 veh/lane/hour in the 6 months Aug 99 to Feb 00. Traffic went up from about 1410 veh/lane/hr to 1630 veh/lane/hr underlining the need for the toll rate rise.

Morning westbound tolls – the other peak hour direction – were nudged up 5c and 10c only.

Greg Hulsizer, CPTC general-manager said the toll increases are needed to prevent congestion developing and to guarantee customers “a fast, reliable, congestion-free commute.” He said he was hopeful the 25c toll increase in the peak hour eastbound Fridays “will encourage some customers to travel a little earlier or a little later.” He said 91X typically saves motorists 45mins to an hour compared to the freeway lanes Friday evenings.

Mid-day and weekend toll rates went up 10c to 40c, reflecting what CPTC thinks the market will bear, and a reflection of the value of its Customer Assistance Patrol and other benefits such as truck-free travel and an asphalt ride. The minimum toll late at night and early morning hours remains at 75c.

91 Express Club users continue to get a 75c discount on each trip and cars with 3 or more persons travel for half-toll. No change there.

But CPTC is hitting very occasional users harder. It has raised to $6/month/transponder the minimum account charge. Subscribers to its Standard Plan who spend less than $6/month in tolls get charged that minimum $6 to cover the costs of transponder supply and billing.

It is expected that occasional 91X patrons will sign up increasingly with TCA or another California tollster with lower minimum monthly fees.

Hulsizer told us the changes were designed to achieve “the strongest longterm financial outlook for the project” and to keep traffic flowing for “maximum customer service.” The toll increases gained little publicity. (www.91expresslanes.com)