Hybrids: the Catalyst for Positive Change

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

   Hey Bob, sorry, but it won't take ten years.  Look at Fluor's proposal: it calls for the I95 toll booths to be built first and, of course, on the stretch with the most traffic between the beltway and the 14th St. Bridge.  They plan to have them up and running next summer if they receive the go-ahead this November.

	This means they will be charging a toll WITHOUT doing anything, anything at all, to improve traffic.  Except force us all to get Smarttags.

	Judging from today's Post article, that approval is pro forma.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
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: 29 Apr 2005 at 9:48am
	Hey Bob, sorry, but it won't take ten years. Look at Fluor's proposal: it calls for the I95 toll booths to be built first and, of course, on the stretch with the most traffic between the beltway and the 14th St. Bridge. They plan to have them up and running next summer if they receive the go-ahead this November. This means they will be charging a toll WITHOUT doing anything, anything at all, to improve traffic. Except force us all to get Smarttags. Judging from today's Post article, that approval is pro forma.

qorc Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Location: va Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote qorc Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Apr 2005 at 8:33am
	nah, won't happen. When the exemption ends, I become a driver or start slugging again. It's no big deal. I bought the car knowing the exemption would end probably no later than July 2006. So what? Until then, I'm getting 4x the gas mileage (and every time gas goes up, I laugh at you SUV-types) and a fast commute to work. I'm not sweating it. I slugged for 2 years. I can do it again.

Bob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Dec 2001 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Apr 2005 at 8:13am
	I for one am glad that the hybrid exemption is ending because I can think of you sitting in the regular lanes in your hybrid for the next 10 years until the HOT is built.

NoSUV Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote NoSUV Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Apr 2005 at 7:51am
	I, for one, am eagerly anticipating the end of the hybrid exemption since that will hasten the toll. Those in the HOV lanes need to look to their right to see the cars in the regular lanes moving at 15 mph compared to the HOV lanes at (or above) speed. Hybrids out of HOV is 100% guaranteed to increase regular lane congestion. With HOV zipping along even faster, the balance will have to come from another means - TOLL! I'd pay to move faster...

MDC Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 04 Dec 2002 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote MDC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2005 at 2:39pm
	That would be MPGPP, or miles per gallon per passenger.

qorc Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Location: va Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote qorc Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2005 at 8:20am
	not true. Actually picking up slugs adds weight and would reduce MPG, let alone add 20 minutes to my commute. Motto: "not until July 2006 or I have to" [:D]

k2 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote k2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 2005 at 9:51pm
	Does anyone want some actual MPG data on a hybrid? In my 2004 Prius, I get 47-52 MPG on my 100-mile commute, moving at typical I-95 speeds. At 72-75 MPH, my Prius gets 44-50 MPH, depending on the wind and air temperature. Higher mileage occurs in warm (70 degree F) weather. In the city, on short 1-2 mile trips, mileage can drop down to 35-40. On rural roads, at 35-55 MPH, I get 50-60 MPG. My car-lifetime mileage after 29,000 miles is over 47 MPG, with 90% high-speed highway driving. I think the Prius (2004+) is a great car. The HOV excemption is a nice bonus.

qorc Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Location: va Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote qorc Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 2005 at 9:23am
	I needed a new vehicle. my hybrid cost FAR less than our mini-van and virtually EVERY SUV out there. I paid $24,000 for it, got $14,000 for the truck, so basically I financed $10,000 on a home equity loan at 3.5% and get to deduct the interest. and I'm getting 4 times the mileage I did with my truck. so how is it a farce?

MDC Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 04 Dec 2002 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote MDC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Feb 2005 at 2:12pm
	Oh, and that assumes they are paying retail, not marked up price.

MDC Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 04 Dec 2002 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote MDC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Feb 2005 at 11:46am
	I'd like the hype-bird owners to factor in the increased cost of buying the car into their fuel economy equation. How much more are you paying per month including gas and car payments? Intellichoice.com says it's 3-4 thousand dollars more over 5 years to own a civic hybrid over a civic DX or LX.