Tolling Set to Start on 95 Express – 3+ Carpools Ride the Lanes Toll Free

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tolling may be starting on the new 95 Express lanes Dec. 5, but commuters like Chris Crabtree – who is in a registered 3+ carpool – isn’t going to feel the pinch.

“I know I am going to save time, money and fuel,” says Crabtree, a Boca Raton resident who commutes 80 miles to and from Miami every day. “I formed a carpool as soon as I heard about the new express lanes.”

The 95 Express lanes replace the HOV lanes on I-95 between I-395 Northbound in downtown Miami and the Golden Glades interchange in Phase 1A. Motorists will be charged a variable toll to use the lanes, which will fluctuate based on the level of congestion at a given time. Registered 3+ carpools, South Florida Vanpools, hybrids, motorcyclists and mass transit can ride the 95 Express lanes toll free.

According Jim Udvardy, Project Manager for South Florida Commuter Services, nearly 700 carpoolers, more than 2,000 hybrid users and 24 vanpools have registered to ride the 95 Express lanes toll free.

“A lot of people are a little hesitant when they first start carpooling but after a couple of weeks they wonder why they didn’t do it sooner,” says Udvardy. “Who doesn’t want to save money and get home sooner? Now that tolls have begun, we expect to see a big jump in the number of people wanting to carpool.”

Currently, the average speed of travel during peak rush hour traffic is 22 mph. 95 Express commuters are expected to be traveling at more than double that speed – a minimum of 45-50 mph. Predications are that commuters will save between 15-20 minutes of their commute time home. And by carpooling with two other commuters or driving a hybrid, it can be done toll free while cutting overall commuting costs by two-thirds.

Hybrids, 3+ carpools and South Florida Vanpools must register by phone on 1-800-234-RIDE or online at 1800234RIDE.com to drive on the 95 Express lanes for free. Once registered, commuters will receive a 95 Express decal to display on their windshield.

For more information on how to save time and money by sharing the ride, visit 1800234RIDE.com.

ABOUT SFCS

South Florida Commuter Services is a program of the Florida Department of Transportation dedicated to encouraging commuters to carpool, vanpool, use mass transit, telecommute, walk or bike to work. The goal is to get more cars off our congested roadways and make commuting in South Florida better for everyone. In addition, we also work closely with employers to identify commuter issues, and provide support to relieve these issues. For more information, visit 1800234RIDE.com.