Would You Pay $1.40/Mile to Use the Carpool Lane Solo?

Metro wants to test out their own brand of congestion pricing called ExpressLanes, which would allow solo drivers to access carpool lanes for a price. For one year, starting in December 2010, Metro will convert carpool lanes on the I-10 (El Monte Busway) and the I-110 (Harbor Freeway Transitway) freeways to toll lanes.

Those who travel via public transit or carpool would not have to pay, but solo drivers could end up paying as little as $0.25 or as much as $1.40 per mile to access the lanes, depending on the time of day and traffic flow. Revenues would then go back to the project's operation budget and into funds for improving public transit along the same corridors.

"The purpose," explains Metro in a press release, "of the demonstration is to squeeze more capacity out of crowded freeways in a region where building new freeways is almost impossible because land is not available and there is a lack of funding for new construction."

Chime in: You can opine here in LAist's comment section and also on the record at a series of upcoming public meetings:

Saturday, June 13, 2009
10 a.m. - Noon
Metro Board Room 3rd Fl.
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles

Monday, June 15, 2009
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Carson Community Center
Adult Activity Room
801 E. Carson St.
Carson

Wednesday, June 17, 2009
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Metro San Gabriel Valley Service Sector
Council Chambers
3449 Santa Anita Ave. 3rd Fl.
El Monte

Saturday, June 20, 2009
10 a.m. - Noon
West Covina Civic Center
Community Room
1444 W. Garvey Ave.
West Covina

Monday, June 22, 2009
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Civic Center Library
Meeting Room
3301 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance