HOT lane scam (price, moving, commuter)

[ATLTJL]

So today I had a meeting I had to get to and the HOT lane was over $7!!!!!

But I said what the heck, I've got to get to this meeting, let me hop in the HOT lane.

Even at $7, this lane was absolutely NO FASTER than any other lane. I know because there was a truck in a normal lane that I used as a barometer. He passed me a few times, I passed him a few times, but we more or less got to I-285 around the same time.....only I spent $7 to do it and he didn't.

Alright, so I know that most people complain about the toll being too high, and I've been in that camp, too.

I have to ask, though. If the point of the floating price is to keep the HOT lane flowing at 45 mph, but it's no faster than any other lane, doesn't that indicate that the price is too low? Shouldn't they keep raising it until enough people tap out to keep it light enough to maintain a 45 mph speed?

I'd feel a lot less dumb spending $11 to get there much faster than everyone else than spending $7 for no advantage at all. What gives?

[PKCorey]

It may have to do with the limit/reduction that Gov. Deal implemented when everyone was going crazy over the cost.

[ATLTJL]

I thought that was eliminated now that the whole situation has calmed down. Maybe not?

A limit defeats the entire purpose of the lane.

[arjay57]

They ought to give you your money back, ATLTJL.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Alright, so I know that most people complain about the toll being too high, and I've been in that camp, too.

I have to ask, though. If the point of the floating price is to keep the HOT lane flowing at 45 mph, but it's no faster than any other lane, doesn't that indicate that the price is too low? Shouldn't they keep raising it until enough people tap out to keep it light enough to maintain a 45 mph speed?

I'd feel a lot less dumb spending $11 to get there much faster than everyone else than spending $7 for no advantage at all. What gives?

Don't give them any ideas, the one-way price of the HOT lane scam will be up to $11 (and well beyond) soon enough.

[flyonpa]

There was a Software/Communication issue with the pricing system on Tuesday 10/22.

The problem, kept the price to low to long, and the lanes were overused. By the time the communication issue was fixed and they could raise the price, the damage was done. (Also they don't seem to want to jump the price up to fast from say $3 to $9 to ... in 1 step.

[Rocco Barbosa]

It seems the lane is only faster if everyone else is driving slow.

If everyone is driving 85-90mph in the "regular lanes" than getting on that lane will not make a difference.

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

So today I had a meeting I had to get to and the HOT lane was over $7!!!!!

But I said what the heck, I've got to get to this meeting, let me hop in the HOT lane.

Even at $7, this lane was absolutely NO FASTER than any other lane. I know because there was a truck in a normal lane that I used as a barometer. He passed me a few times, I passed him a few times, but we more or less got to I-285 around the same time.....only I spent $7 to do it and he didn't.

Alright, so I know that most people complain about the toll being too high, and I've been in that camp, too.

I have to ask, though. If the point of the floating price is to keep the HOT lane flowing at 45 mph, but it's no faster than any other lane, doesn't that indicate that the price is too low? Shouldn't they keep raising it until enough people tap out to keep it light enough to maintain a 45 mph speed?

I'd feel a lot less dumb spending $11 to get there much faster than everyone else than spending $7 for no advantage at all. What gives?

[cqholt]

And this is why $16B should not be spent on a metro wide HOT lane system, but on commuter rail.

[DJDeadParrot]

Originally Posted by Rocco Barbosa

If everyone is driving 85-90mph in the "regular lanes" than getting on that lane will not make a difference.

Which is why the toll at those times is 8 cents.

[ATLTJL]

Darn, why didn't I just think of driving in those lanes that are moving 85-90 mph at 8:30am?

Boy, is my face red!!!!