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Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
Sprawl and Crawl
()
Date: July 15, 2013 09:16AM
Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Express Lanes becoming more popular, but it's too early to tell if the faster (65 mph) speed limit is contributing to increased usage.
http://mclean.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/express-lanes-trips-and-tolls-both-increasing
Seven months after opening, the 495 Express Lanes have only grown in popularity, according to Transurban officials.
Toll revenue increased 64.6 percent over the last fiscal quarter, and June 28, the final workday of the quarter, set a record for daily revenue at $78,155 behind 42,998 individual trips—an average of about $1.82 per trip.
Transurban, the group responsible for the project's development, cites growing customer familiarity as the primary driving force behind the increasing success.
"As more and more customers get out there and they're trying the lanes, they're becoming more familiar with the project, and that's naturally lending itself to peoples' comfort to get out there and take that first trip," said Transurban spokesperson Mike McGurk.
Adding to the Express Lanes' lure is last month's speed limit increase - from 55 mph to 65 mph. While the jump was always an expectation, Transurban had to demonstrate that they could safely operate the lanes at 65 mph. Another facet that drivers continue to figure out is the dynamic tolling system which prevents the Express Lanes from filling up and negating their purpose.
"Our goal as the operator of the express lane is to always keep that road moving highway speed, so it's a faster, more predictable trip no matter what's going on on the regular lanes," McGirk said. "As it becomes more popular and more trips are taken, you're going to see the toll prices increase as well."
The average dynamic toll charged increased from $1.43 in the first quarter of 2013 to $1.71 for the second quarter, which ended in June. The maximum dynamic toll charged during the quarter was $7.55 to travel the full length of the Express Lanes, compared with the March quarter maximum of $6.35.
Just seven months into a 75 year contract, the specific revenue numbers are not Transurban's primary concern right now.
"It's really too soon to draw any conclusions from what we've seen so far [regarding revenue]. Our goal is to continue educating the region, for people to get out there and take that first trip, and that's what we're going to continue to do moving forward."
A segment of the Beltway Express Lanes prior to opening in late 2012. Patch file photo.
Attachments:
Express Lanes becoming more popular, but it's too early to tell if the faster (65 mph) speed limit is contributing to increased usage.
http://mclean.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/express-lanes-trips-and-tolls-both-increasing
Seven months after opening, the 495 Express Lanes have only grown in popularity, according to Transurban officials.
Toll revenue increased 64.6 percent over the last fiscal quarter, and June 28, the final workday of the quarter, set a record for daily revenue at $78,155 behind 42,998 individual trips—an average of about $1.82 per trip.
Transurban, the group responsible for the project's development, cites growing customer familiarity as the primary driving force behind the increasing success.
"As more and more customers get out there and they're trying the lanes, they're becoming more familiar with the project, and that's naturally lending itself to peoples' comfort to get out there and take that first trip," said Transurban spokesperson Mike McGurk.
Adding to the Express Lanes' lure is last month's speed limit increase - from 55 mph to 65 mph. While the jump was always an expectation, Transurban had to demonstrate that they could safely operate the lanes at 65 mph. Another facet that drivers continue to figure out is the dynamic tolling system which prevents the Express Lanes from filling up and negating their purpose.
"Our goal as the operator of the express lane is to always keep that road moving highway speed, so it's a faster, more predictable trip no matter what's going on on the regular lanes," McGirk said. "As it becomes more popular and more trips are taken, you're going to see the toll prices increase as well."
The average dynamic toll charged increased from $1.43 in the first quarter of 2013 to $1.71 for the second quarter, which ended in June. The maximum dynamic toll charged during the quarter was $7.55 to travel the full length of the Express Lanes, compared with the March quarter maximum of $6.35.
Just seven months into a 75 year contract, the specific revenue numbers are not Transurban's primary concern right now.
"It's really too soon to draw any conclusions from what we've seen so far [regarding revenue]. Our goal is to continue educating the region, for people to get out there and take that first trip, and that's what we're going to continue to do moving forward."
A segment of the Beltway Express Lanes prior to opening in late 2012. Patch file photo.
Attachments:
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
Express Lane Jihadist
()
Date: July 15, 2013 09:23AM
Yup, I've been taking them twice a day, 5 times a week, the full length...transponder in the HOV position, just me in the car, not one red cent in tolls and not one ticket. The 495 Express Lanes are so convenient!
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
3mcTG
()
Date: July 15, 2013 10:18AM
So, they're up to 10 cars per day in the lanes, now?
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
zoom zoom
()
Date: July 15, 2013 10:21AM
Yup, I've been taking them twice a day, 5 times a week, the full length...transponder in the HOV position, just me in the car, not one red cent in tolls and not one ticket. The 495 Express Lanes are so convenient!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Same here, brother! FUck them. At this point, if I get caught and have to pay a fine, I'm still way ahead financially.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Same here, brother! FUck them. At this point, if I get caught and have to pay a fine, I'm still way ahead financially.
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
Express Lane Jihadist
()
Date: July 15, 2013 10:39AM
zoom zoom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yup, I've been taking them twice a day, 5 times a
> week, the full length...transponder in the HOV
> position, just me in the car, not one red cent in
> tolls and not one ticket. The 495 Express Lanes
> are so convenient!
>
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>
>
> Same here, brother! FUck them. At this point, if
> I get caught and have to pay a fine, I'm still way
> ahead financially.
"Gosh, officer...I'm sorry, I guess I forgot and left the transponder in the HOV position and forgot about it. Can I just pay you the fine?"
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yup, I've been taking them twice a day, 5 times a
> week, the full length...transponder in the HOV
> position, just me in the car, not one red cent in
> tolls and not one ticket. The 495 Express Lanes
> are so convenient!
>
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>
>
> Same here, brother! FUck them. At this point, if
> I get caught and have to pay a fine, I'm still way
> ahead financially.
"Gosh, officer...I'm sorry, I guess I forgot and left the transponder in the HOV position and forgot about it. Can I just pay you the fine?"
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
jim143
()
Date: July 15, 2013 10:57AM
Sprawl and Crawl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A segment of the Beltway Express Lanes prior to
> opening in late 2012. Patch file photo.
Uh, no Patch, that's the Telegraph Rd. interchange. 495 Express Lanes don't go there.
-------------------------------------------------------
> A segment of the Beltway Express Lanes prior to
> opening in late 2012. Patch file photo.
Uh, no Patch, that's the Telegraph Rd. interchange. 495 Express Lanes don't go there.
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
Hot lanes
()
Date: July 15, 2013 09:42PM
I got pulled over the first time I used my ezpass in HOV mode. Had two kids in car seats in the back. The trooper apologized and let me go.
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
dVJKw
()
Date: July 16, 2013 03:03AM
Hot lanes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I got pulled over the first time I used my ezpass
> in HOV mode. Had two kids in car seats in the
> back. The trooper apologized and let me go.
You should have bought a lottery ticket instead that day.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I got pulled over the first time I used my ezpass
> in HOV mode. Had two kids in car seats in the
> back. The trooper apologized and let me go.
You should have bought a lottery ticket instead that day.
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
()
Date: July 17, 2013 07:43AM
jim143 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sprawl and Crawl Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > A segment of the Beltway Express Lanes prior to
> > opening in late 2012. Patch file photo.
>
>
> Uh, no Patch, that's the Telegraph Rd.
> interchange. 495 Express Lanes don't go there.
Uh no, you're wrong.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sprawl and Crawl Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > A segment of the Beltway Express Lanes prior to
> > opening in late 2012. Patch file photo.
>
>
> Uh, no Patch, that's the Telegraph Rd.
> interchange. 495 Express Lanes don't go there.
Uh no, you're wrong.
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
jim143
()
Date: July 17, 2013 10:25AM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wrote:
> Uh no, you're wrong.
You're wrong. Does this look familiar? The sign for the exit is in this one.
Attachments:
> Uh no, you're wrong.
You're wrong. Does this look familiar? The sign for the exit is in this one.
Attachments:
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
1995hoo
()
Date: July 17, 2013 10:31AM
Both pictures are definitely the Telegraph Road interchange. Also, except around I-66, the 495 Express Lanes aren't separated from the local lanes by concrete barriers. They use flexible pylons.
Decent amount of traffic in the Express Lanes on Monday morning. See dashcam video linked below. Look at the stopped traffic out in the general-purpose lanes. How can anyone argue it's not worth paying the toll to be able to leave half an hour later?
http://s31.photobucket.com/user/1995hoo/media/Dashcam%20videos/2013-07-15AMHOTlanes_zpsff58f6d1.mp4.html
Decent amount of traffic in the Express Lanes on Monday morning. See dashcam video linked below. Look at the stopped traffic out in the general-purpose lanes. How can anyone argue it's not worth paying the toll to be able to leave half an hour later?
http://s31.photobucket.com/user/1995hoo/media/Dashcam%20videos/2013-07-15AMHOTlanes_zpsff58f6d1.mp4.html
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
tdriver
()
Date: July 17, 2013 11:02AM
Both pictures are Telegraph Rd interchange. Drive the beltway everyday.
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
FD11
()
Date: July 17, 2013 01:16PM
Yes, that is Telegraph. The tall building to the right and those townhouses to the right are off of Eisenhower.
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
notHOT
()
Date: July 17, 2013 02:32PM
Those are not hot lanes that is local vs express on 95N to the right. Not Hot lanes they terminate at Braddock as their Eastern-most end...
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
Eh
()
Date: July 17, 2013 09:40PM
Still dead when I've seen them at 5-5:30. If we could just get rid of all those awful Maryland commuters, the Beltway wouldn't back up going to the Dulles Toll Road.
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
CkPE6
()
Date: July 17, 2013 10:01PM
Eh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Still dead when I've seen them at 5-5:30. If we could just get rid of all those
> awful Maryland commuters
Awful? C'mon buddy, we're here for the count. We'll continue to come into VA everyday to take your money and fuck your women. And to litter on your streets for good measure on our way back to our homes!
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
-------------------------------------------------------
> Still dead when I've seen them at 5-5:30. If we could just get rid of all those
> awful Maryland commuters
Awful? C'mon buddy, we're here for the count. We'll continue to come into VA everyday to take your money and fuck your women. And to litter on your streets for good measure on our way back to our homes!
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Re: Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing
Posted by:
Md Sucks
()
Date: July 18, 2013 06:38AM
CkPE6 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And to litter on
> your streets for good measure on our way back to
> our homes!
>
> HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Yes, you're just trying to make it like the shithole you call home. BTW, able to take a shower this morning or did you have to wait to get to work, IN VIRGINIA, where clean water actually flows? HA HA to you!
-------------------------------------------------------
> And to litter on
> your streets for good measure on our way back to
> our homes!
>
> HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Yes, you're just trying to make it like the shithole you call home. BTW, able to take a shower this morning or did you have to wait to get to work, IN VIRGINIA, where clean water actually flows? HA HA to you!