$30 Price gouging by Transurban to use express lanes (hot, convert)

[ReblTeen84]

Originally Posted by Fallout Zone

I'll agree with the others that say it is not price gouging, it is simply the algorithm that tries to keep the cars going at 45 mph. That said, it seems like this has been optimized for when the regular lanes are full and people are choosing whether to get on the toll lanes. When the problem (crash, winter wx) is on the toll lanes, there should be a notice that states as much. It isn't fair to someone that really needs to get somewhere to see a $30 charge and think "wow, the normal lanes are really backed up" and then they hop on the toll lanes only to find out that the problem is there. Evidently there is a way to get your money back in this situation, but that must be a hassle.

Usually the signs will tell you if there's an accident and to avoid the lanes. I got caught in this mess and it took me an hour to go from Rt. 7 to Springfield. I thought it was an accident and when I flipped to WTOP, they said it was due to highway trucks blocking the lanes for no known reason - it sounded like even VDOT hadn't answered why they were running so slow. It wound up being backed up from Braddock all the way back to the Dulles toll road.

FWIW - I just checked my transactions to get my entry/exit times and the toll so I could request a refund and there's no charge at all for me from that day, so not sure if they've already refunded or what.

[Fantasticx]

Originally Posted by pcity

Not price gouging unless it's a necessity. Don't want to pay the posted toll? Don't take the lanes.

I actually entered toll lanes a few times and didn't know until a second after I entered

[gomason]

There was a study that found that a higher toll rate actually led to more people getting in the HOT lanes, because they just assumed that it mean traffic was bad in the regular lanes.

In the age of Google Maps, you would think people could make more informed decisions. But no.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by ReblTeen84

Usually the signs will tell you if there's an accident and to avoid the lanes.

Sign? What sign?

[Eagle4Life]

Originally Posted by Fantasticx

I actually entered toll lanes a few times and didn't know until a second after I entered

I hope I'm never driving around you because you're obviously not paying attention to much of anything.

[smarterguy]

I don't like it but it get the pricing, though I wish they would make their algorithms public so we really see how they function.

However, its been said before and I'll repeat it: its BS that lanes that were once free to use during non-HOV hours now cost money.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by smarterguy

I don't like it but it get the pricing, though I wish they would make their algorithms public so we really see how they function.

However, its been said before and I'll repeat it: its BS that lanes that were once free to use during non-HOV hours now cost money.

Those lanes were never free. (495)

[snowdenscold]

Originally Posted by dkf747

Those lanes were never free. (495)

I think he's talking about I-95 down to Stafford.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by snowdenscold

I think he's talking about I-95 down to Stafford.

Agreed. Others have said too that before HOT lanes, the middle lanes, the tax payer funding middle lanes, were free for everyone except during limited HOV hours.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by snowdenscold

I think he's talking about I-95 down to Stafford.

Your guess is as good as mine. He and others didn't specify which ones they were talking about.