Fairfax County General :
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.
Are the 495 express lanes worth it?
Posted by:
local road man
()
Date: January 20, 2014 10:47AM
Is it worth buying a ez pass for the 495 express lanes?
Does it really cut down on commute time?
Does it really cut down on commute time?
Re: Are the 495 express lanes worth it?
Posted by:
Outlaw
()
Date: January 20, 2014 10:51AM
Not really.
Re: Are the 495 express lanes worth it?
Posted by:
Driver
()
Date: January 20, 2014 10:52AM
I drive it everyday and don't use it.
The ironic thing is that for the past several years 495 was terrible with all the construction delays but now that the construction is over it's not nearly as bad and traffic moves pretty well. Pretty ironic that the construction delays -- to build the express lanes -- were the problem not the underlying traffic. It was a solution in search of a problem.
I suppose every now and then they will be a good option when there is a wreck or something but not worth it otherwise.
The ironic thing is that for the past several years 495 was terrible with all the construction delays but now that the construction is over it's not nearly as bad and traffic moves pretty well. Pretty ironic that the construction delays -- to build the express lanes -- were the problem not the underlying traffic. It was a solution in search of a problem.
I suppose every now and then they will be a good option when there is a wreck or something but not worth it otherwise.
Re: Are the 495 express lanes worth it?
Posted by:
Polar Vortex
()
Date: January 20, 2014 10:59AM
No, total fucking joke, It fits perfect in this half ass area.
Re: Are the 495 express lanes worth it?
Posted by:
winer
()
Date: January 20, 2014 12:47PM
at the height of rush hour it saves me about 40 minutes to get to just the 66 exit....I think the prices are rapacious.
Re: Are the 495 express lanes worth it?
Posted by:
Lane.Meyer
()
Date: January 20, 2014 06:51PM
Here's the deal, OP...
Make sure you get a transponder (that's the sensor you buy from EZPass and mount on your windshield) that has a switch for HOV-mode. These transponders were designed to allow people with 3+ people in their car to ride the 495 Express Lanes free.
Here's the dirty little secret...
The enforcement of using the transponder in the HOV position whether you have the occupants or not is EXTREMELY selective to the point that it's simply not enforced. I've been riding the 405 Express Lanes, the full-length, round trip 5 days a week since late-November 2012. I ride solo...no other passengers with the switch in the HOV position. I have never been pulled over once and most importantly...I haven't paid ONE RED FUCKING CENT IN TOLLS!
At the bare minimum, I shave 25 minutes off my commute each way. 45 minutes each way is less common...and I've had at least a week's worth of 60 minutes shaved each way.
Make sure you get a transponder (that's the sensor you buy from EZPass and mount on your windshield) that has a switch for HOV-mode. These transponders were designed to allow people with 3+ people in their car to ride the 495 Express Lanes free.
Here's the dirty little secret...
The enforcement of using the transponder in the HOV position whether you have the occupants or not is EXTREMELY selective to the point that it's simply not enforced. I've been riding the 405 Express Lanes, the full-length, round trip 5 days a week since late-November 2012. I ride solo...no other passengers with the switch in the HOV position. I have never been pulled over once and most importantly...I haven't paid ONE RED FUCKING CENT IN TOLLS!
At the bare minimum, I shave 25 minutes off my commute each way. 45 minutes each way is less common...and I've had at least a week's worth of 60 minutes shaved each way.
Re: Are the 495 express lanes worth it?
Posted by:
iseewhatyoudid
()
Date: January 20, 2014 06:54PM
Lane.Meyer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here's the deal, OP...
>
> Make sure you get a transponder (that's the sensor
> you buy from EZPass and mount on your windshield)
> that has a switch for HOV-mode. These transponders
> were designed to allow people with 3+ people in
> their car to ride the 495 Express Lanes free.
>
> Here's the dirty little secret...
>
> The enforcement of using the transponder in the
> HOV position whether you have the occupants or not
> is EXTREMELY selective to the point that it's
> simply not enforced. I've been riding the 405
> Express Lanes, the full-length, round trip 5 days
> a week since late-November 2012. I ride solo...no
> other passengers with the switch in the HOV
> position. I have never been pulled over once and
> most importantly...I haven't paid ONE RED FUCKING
> CENT IN TOLLS!
>
> At the bare minimum, I shave 25 minutes off my
> commute each way. 45 minutes each way is less
> common...and I've had at least a week's worth of
> 60 minutes shaved each way.
Doesn't the transponder with the on/off switch have a monthly fee?
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here's the deal, OP...
>
> Make sure you get a transponder (that's the sensor
> you buy from EZPass and mount on your windshield)
> that has a switch for HOV-mode. These transponders
> were designed to allow people with 3+ people in
> their car to ride the 495 Express Lanes free.
>
> Here's the dirty little secret...
>
> The enforcement of using the transponder in the
> HOV position whether you have the occupants or not
> is EXTREMELY selective to the point that it's
> simply not enforced. I've been riding the 405
> Express Lanes, the full-length, round trip 5 days
> a week since late-November 2012. I ride solo...no
> other passengers with the switch in the HOV
> position. I have never been pulled over once and
> most importantly...I haven't paid ONE RED FUCKING
> CENT IN TOLLS!
>
> At the bare minimum, I shave 25 minutes off my
> commute each way. 45 minutes each way is less
> common...and I've had at least a week's worth of
> 60 minutes shaved each way.
Doesn't the transponder with the on/off switch have a monthly fee?
Re: Are the 495 express lanes worth it?
Posted by:
noton495
()
Date: January 20, 2014 07:14PM
Driver Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I drive it everyday and don't use it.
>
> The ironic thing is that for the past several
> years 495 was terrible with all the construction
> delays but now that the construction is over it's
> not nearly as bad and traffic moves pretty well.
> Pretty ironic that the construction delays -- to
> build the express lanes -- were the problem not
> the underlying traffic. It was a solution in
> search of a problem.
>
> I suppose every now and then they will be a good
> option when there is a wreck or something but not
> worth it otherwise.
I agree, i think with them re-paving, and re-designing some of the exits, it makes it alot easier to drive. That being said it will eventually fill back up and it might be another 5-10 years before the express lanes really start to make money.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I drive it everyday and don't use it.
>
> The ironic thing is that for the past several
> years 495 was terrible with all the construction
> delays but now that the construction is over it's
> not nearly as bad and traffic moves pretty well.
> Pretty ironic that the construction delays -- to
> build the express lanes -- were the problem not
> the underlying traffic. It was a solution in
> search of a problem.
>
> I suppose every now and then they will be a good
> option when there is a wreck or something but not
> worth it otherwise.
I agree, i think with them re-paving, and re-designing some of the exits, it makes it alot easier to drive. That being said it will eventually fill back up and it might be another 5-10 years before the express lanes really start to make money.
Re: Are the 495 express lanes worth it?
Posted by:
Lane.Meyer
()
Date: January 20, 2014 07:45PM
iseewhatyoudid Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lane.Meyer Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Here's the deal, OP...
> >
> > Make sure you get a transponder (that's the
> sensor
> > you buy from EZPass and mount on your
> windshield)
> > that has a switch for HOV-mode. These
> transponders
> > were designed to allow people with 3+ people in
> > their car to ride the 495 Express Lanes free.
> >
> > Here's the dirty little secret...
> >
> > The enforcement of using the transponder in the
> > HOV position whether you have the occupants or
> not
> > is EXTREMELY selective to the point that it's
> > simply not enforced. I've been riding the 405
> > Express Lanes, the full-length, round trip 5
> days
> > a week since late-November 2012. I ride
> solo...no
> > other passengers with the switch in the HOV
> > position. I have never been pulled over once
> and
> > most importantly...I haven't paid ONE RED
> FUCKING
> > CENT IN TOLLS!
> >
> > At the bare minimum, I shave 25 minutes off my
> > commute each way. 45 minutes each way is less
> > common...and I've had at least a week's worth
> of
> > 60 minutes shaved each way.
>
> Doesn't the transponder with the on/off switch
> have a monthly fee?
My transponder with the HOV-switch has no monthly fee as I purchased it during the pre-opening promotional period. For those purchasing a new "Flex Transponder" (as they are called with the HOV-switch)...the monthly fee? Yeah...it's an "outrageous" $1 per month!
By riding solo in the lanes with the switch in the HOV position, you are putting time back on your life and saving money which will MORE than pay for the $1 per month maintenance fee.
http://www.ezpassva.com/StaticPages/FAQ.aspx#thirteen
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lane.Meyer Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Here's the deal, OP...
> >
> > Make sure you get a transponder (that's the
> sensor
> > you buy from EZPass and mount on your
> windshield)
> > that has a switch for HOV-mode. These
> transponders
> > were designed to allow people with 3+ people in
> > their car to ride the 495 Express Lanes free.
> >
> > Here's the dirty little secret...
> >
> > The enforcement of using the transponder in the
> > HOV position whether you have the occupants or
> not
> > is EXTREMELY selective to the point that it's
> > simply not enforced. I've been riding the 405
> > Express Lanes, the full-length, round trip 5
> days
> > a week since late-November 2012. I ride
> solo...no
> > other passengers with the switch in the HOV
> > position. I have never been pulled over once
> and
> > most importantly...I haven't paid ONE RED
> FUCKING
> > CENT IN TOLLS!
> >
> > At the bare minimum, I shave 25 minutes off my
> > commute each way. 45 minutes each way is less
> > common...and I've had at least a week's worth
> of
> > 60 minutes shaved each way.
>
> Doesn't the transponder with the on/off switch
> have a monthly fee?
My transponder with the HOV-switch has no monthly fee as I purchased it during the pre-opening promotional period. For those purchasing a new "Flex Transponder" (as they are called with the HOV-switch)...the monthly fee? Yeah...it's an "outrageous" $1 per month!
By riding solo in the lanes with the switch in the HOV position, you are putting time back on your life and saving money which will MORE than pay for the $1 per month maintenance fee.
http://www.ezpassva.com/StaticPages/FAQ.aspx#thirteen
Re: Are the 495 express lanes worth it?
Posted by:
BrianSchoeneman
()
Date: January 20, 2014 07:57PM
I use them almost every day. It's great to get off the main lanes and just be able to put the cruise control on and drive. Relaxing.
Re: Are the 495 express lanes worth it?
Posted by:
Fred Norris
()
Date: January 20, 2014 07:57PM
Makes it easier if going from one end to the other, wish the speed limit were higher though.
Re: Are the 495 express lanes worth it?
Posted by:
Never paid, either
()
Date: January 21, 2014 12:22AM
Lane.Meyer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My transponder with the HOV-switch has no monthly
> fee as I purchased it during the pre-opening
> promotional period. For those purchasing a new
> "Flex Transponder" (as they are called with the
> HOV-switch)...the monthly fee? Yeah...it's an
> "outrageous" $1 per month!
>
> By riding solo in the lanes with the switch in the
> HOV position, you are putting time back on your
> life and saving money which will MORE than pay for
> the $1 per month maintenance fee.
>
> http://www.ezpassva.com/StaticPages/FAQ.aspx#thirt
> een
There is no monthly fee if you use the Flex solely in HOV ON position on the 495 express lanes. I didn't pre-purchase and it's worked that way for me. You have to use it in HOV ON mode at least once a month and NOT ever use it for tolls anywhere else. I have another EZPass transponder free from Massachusetts for those.
From the FAQ
16. What if I always use my transponder to carpool on the 495 Express Lanes?
Customers who obtain a Flex transponder solely for toll-free HOV usage on the 495 Express Lanes will have their monthly Flex Account Maintenance Fee of $1 waived for those months in which that transponder is used only on the 495 Express Lanes with three or more in the vehicle. If you do not use your Flex for a month you will still incur the $1 monthly fee.
-------------------------------------------------------
> My transponder with the HOV-switch has no monthly
> fee as I purchased it during the pre-opening
> promotional period. For those purchasing a new
> "Flex Transponder" (as they are called with the
> HOV-switch)...the monthly fee? Yeah...it's an
> "outrageous" $1 per month!
>
> By riding solo in the lanes with the switch in the
> HOV position, you are putting time back on your
> life and saving money which will MORE than pay for
> the $1 per month maintenance fee.
>
> http://www.ezpassva.com/StaticPages/FAQ.aspx#thirt
> een
There is no monthly fee if you use the Flex solely in HOV ON position on the 495 express lanes. I didn't pre-purchase and it's worked that way for me. You have to use it in HOV ON mode at least once a month and NOT ever use it for tolls anywhere else. I have another EZPass transponder free from Massachusetts for those.
From the FAQ
16. What if I always use my transponder to carpool on the 495 Express Lanes?
Customers who obtain a Flex transponder solely for toll-free HOV usage on the 495 Express Lanes will have their monthly Flex Account Maintenance Fee of $1 waived for those months in which that transponder is used only on the 495 Express Lanes with three or more in the vehicle. If you do not use your Flex for a month you will still incur the $1 monthly fee.