Community Corner

Solo Drivers Can Pay To Use Carpool Lane

Gov. Brown signed Assemblyman Rich Gordon's Highway 101 express lane extension Monday.

San Mateo County commuters will be able to use the carpool lane on Highway 101 starting in 2015, even if they’re driving solo.

Drivers can pay a certain amount to use the carpool lane, determined by the time of day and amount of congestion—known as congestion pricing.

The Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority created these express lanes in 2004 through AB 2032, but the authority only has jurisdiction over Santa Clara County. So northbound drivers would have to abruptly exit the lanes when entering San Mateo County, and southbound drivers would have to change lanes when entering Palo Alto.

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