OCTA Reduces Tolls On 91 Express Lanes

Fewer vehicles in two time slots translates into lowering tolls through congestion management pricing policy
ORANGE – Resolved to spend more time with family and friends in 2010? The 91 Express Lanes can help. Looking to save some money in the new year? We have you covered there too.
Beginning Jan. 1, the toll during two time periods on the 91 Express Lanes will be lowered by 50 cents. Those traveling in the eastbound direction on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. will see the toll drop to $4.95 from $5.45 and on Fridays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. the toll will drop to $3.60 from $4.10.
The toll reductions are part of the Orange County Transportation Authority’s congestion management pricing policy that is in effect on the 10-mile toll road. The policy calls for dropping and raising tolls based on traffic demand. Traffic volumes are monitored daily and adjusted quarterly.
With January’s decrease, OCTA will have lowered tolls during 33 time slots since October 2008.
“The mission of the 91 Express Lanes is to provide free flowing traffic at the least possible cost to commuters,” said OCTA Chairman Peter Buffa. “By reducing tolls, we are fulfilling the promise we made to commuters when the lanes were purchased.”
OCTA bought the 91 Express Lanes in 2003 from the private company that built them. The purchase removed a non-compete clause and to date, more than $10 million from 91 Express Lanes revenue has gone toward improvements to the parallel Riverside Freeway (SR-91). The SR-91 eastbound lane addition project was funded in part with $6.6 million in toll revenues.
Toll rates will now vary depending on hour, day and direction of travel from $1.30 to $9.90.
To view the new toll schedule, go to www.octa.net/91tolls