HOT lanes vs Slugs? Benefit or Problem?

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   A lot of people say they'll quit slugging when HOT lanes come into effect.

	I fail to see why HOT lanes will harm the slugging system.

	Driver has a choice either to pay some unknown amount or pick up slugs and get in for free.

	Unless I've missed something, won't this encourage slugging?

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Pele Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 27 May 2008 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pele Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: HOT lanes vs Slugs? Benefit or Problem? Posted: 04 Feb 2009 at 11:54am
	A lot of people say they'll quit slugging when HOT lanes come into effect. I fail to see why HOT lanes will harm the slugging system. Driver has a choice either to pay some unknown amount or pick up slugs and get in for free. Unless I've missed something, won't this encourage slugging?

Jerry Senfield Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 29 Jan 2009 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jerry Senfield Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 Feb 2009 at 3:34pm
	HOT lanes are a great idea for slugs. Plus you can always squeeze a few in the trunk opposed to 20 stuffed into a mini van.

ybarra Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Location: DC Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote ybarra Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 2009 at 12:22pm
	As I said before, HOT lanes should enhance slugging and being creative folks that we are, we can "sell" our ridership to save the scapers money.

go2grl Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Location: virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote go2grl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 2009 at 12:37pm
	I believe one of the reasons is that HOT lanes will add more vehicles to the lanes, adding additional time to the drive. They also haven't answered the question of how they are going to tell if there are 3 or more in the cars, what they are going to do about the choke points at each end of the HOT lanes and if there will be a maximum number of "free" 3 or more cars allowed. I also read that they are only going to be required to maintain a 55mph rate, which goes back to the first reason. Let's not even get into the fact that they are not going to add any more room to the existing HOV lanes, just reline them to fit 3 lanes into the current space. Should I also mention the major delays that will be caused by the aforementioned relining which will probably take a year or more to complete? I'm already looking for a job closer to Stafford.[8D]

mpatoka Members Profile Find Members Posts Junior Slug Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 12	Post Options Post Reply Quote mpatoka Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 2009 at 2:34pm
	Theoretically, with HOT, slugs should have some value 24 hours a day so there should always be a demand, not just the 5.5 hours per day now. If I'm driving I-95 sometime during the day, I'll be looking for slugs to avoid paying the tolls. If I'm slugging, I would hope there are cars wanting me to ride anytime during the day. That's the easy part. As you can see, there are a whole lot of other issues that will potentially screw up this great system.

Jody Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jody Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 2009 at 4:19pm
	Carpool exemption was removed from CA. Why would anybody think that wouldn't happen here? 2 or 3 yrs ago, someone drafted a anti-hot lane petition for the I-395/I-95 corrider and asked for input. I specifically drafted a clause that stated for the length of the contract (80 yrs), carpools ride free. I don't care how much Ybarra says carpools will ride free. Unless VDOT inserts that specific language into the contract, there is no guarantee that carpools will ride free. They haven't signed a final contract; the details are still being negotiated. Any provision can have language that states it can be renegotiated after a certain amount of time has passed. There called "amendments" folks. And the HOV exemption ending at 9 am & 6 pm? Won't exist anymore. Toll, 24/7. Any SOVs used to accessing HOV at those times will pay a toll. Bet on it. If HOV is converted to a toll road 24/7 with no carpool exemption, there will be no incentive for drivers to pick up slugs. Commuter Connections is going to be busy with people trying to set up carpools to split the toll and garage parking. We live in a wealthy area. Why do you think in CA the toll roads were nicknamed the "Lexus Lanes?" If people can afford to pay the toll, there is no incentive to pick up slugs on a road that is designated a toll road 24/7.

CallmeMrSlug Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote CallmeMrSlug Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Feb 2009 at 12:28am
	Are you that naive to think we would be having hearings on it if the deal was not already done? Hearings for VDOT means they talk and we hear them talk. With new stimulus money, VDOT going to make this a priority. It sounds good to them, public project, throw money to a private business. Private business creates jobs. Personally, hot won't affect me. I have an alternative. I'll pay a little more, 40.00 a week, but I will get to work when I need to. But for anyone south of Springfield, this is your worst nightmare come true. Let us see, your home values are lost and now you face an expensive and at least 90 minute commute. And you voted for you local representative because...

jlcnole Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote jlcnole Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Feb 2009 at 8:37am
	ybarra, please don't pretend that you are one of the slugging community...

SpongeBob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote SpongeBob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Feb 2009 at 9:11am
	Love how all these newbies start posting in favor of HOT lanes. I've been slugging for 14 years and have never once, ever, met a slugrider or slugdriver who is not completely opposed to these toll roads. I strongly suspect that Transurban/Fluor employees post on these sites to give the impression that there is some disagreement in our little community about this issue. Same tactic as the anti-global-warming minority uses. Not surprising Tu/F would do it when you consider the huge money at stake for them. In honor of tonight's meeting, I'm going to devote some time today to playing some of Spongebob's historic (and histrionic) hits. Like the quote from the local transportation official about limiting HOV access to ensure sufficient revenue for the tolling company.

Pele Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 27 May 2008 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pele Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2009 at 8:37am
	Oh, I wasn't aware that the car pool exemption was NOT in the contract... I also did not know about California kicking the carpoolers out. Given this info, I'm now against the HOT lanes...