Richmond Bridge Commute - Fastrack / Commuter?

[johno]

Newbie here.  I am trying to figure out the rules on the bridges as a biker at commute time and outside.  Do you take the Fastrack lane and not pay since you are carpool?  On the Richmond bridge heading West in the A.M. it is often faster in the Fastrack - but unsure of the rules.  On the Bay Bridge I think the Car Pool is always faster.  On the Richmond - the Fastrack can pick up closer to the toll plaza.

Also, outside of commute hours, do you carry a toll tag, and where do you keep it?

Thanks!

johno

[endeavor]

On the Bay Bridge and Carquinez Bridge there is a seperate lane for carpool only.

I keep my fastrak sensor either in my cargo pants pocket or jacket.

[TCK!]

I put mine in the tailpiece of the 748 if you travel at the posted speed (25mph i believe) it would register for me even inside that compartment.

[707soldier]

I put mine in the tailpiece of the 748 if you travel at the posted speed (25mph i believe) it would register for me even inside that compartment.

use the little mylar bag that comes with the Fastrak sensor, it acts as a shield from the Toll sensors.

[Michael Moore]

The Richmond bridge is screwy.

Basically, if you are on a bike and use the FasTrak lane, you'll get charged, even if it is during commute hours. I think that is common to all bay bridges.

Where it gets screwy is as a "carpool" you can *only* use the designated carpool lanes, which on the RBB are lane 3 (the one just to the right of the two FT lanes) and the next to last lane on the far right. Again, if you use anything other than these two lanes, the toll takers will not give you the carpool discount. (AFAIK, this isn't true of any of the other bridges - any non FT lane is valid for a carpool.)  The dumb part is that regular cars can use the carpool lanes too, so you have to wait behind a line of yutzes digging in their pockets for spare change. <smacks forehead>  Fortunately for me, I do the reverse commute (Marin to E. Bay in the AM) so it isn't so heavy for me.

Oh, and be aware that CHP moto cops hang out at the toll plaza waiting for someone on a bike to bomb through. Ask me how I know. 

[johno]

The Richmond bridge is screwy.

 

That's why I was so confused.  On other bridges I think the car pool has a car pool only very fast lane and/or can use the Fast track lane.  But, Richmond stinks.  Either I pay, wait, or share lanes to toll plaza then go.  Thanks for the tip on trying to go through the fastrack. 

johno 

[Michael Moore]

That's why I was so confused.  On other bridges I think the car pool has a car pool only very fast lane and/or can use the Fast track lane.  But, Richmond stinks.  Either I pay, wait, or share lanes to toll plaza then go.  Thanks for the tip on trying to go through the fastrack. 

johno 

Yeah, I wrote to the bridge director about having only one carpool lane and they opened a second. Seems like it would have been just as easy to make all lanes open to carpools. They somehow manage to do that on the GGB.

Even smarter, IMO, would be to write some software that checks to see if the plate going through is a motorcycle plate and just not debit the account if it is during commute hours. But I guess that's asking too much.

[Vindingo]

They somehow manage to do that on the GGB.

Even smarter, IMO, would be to write some software that checks to see if the plate going through is a motorcycle plate and just not debit the account if it is during commute hours. But I guess that's asking too much.

I thought this same thing on the GGB, but it's not true.  Fast track during commute hours still charges you, $4 instead of $5 though.  You have to go through the regular toll plaza and the person just waves you through.   

It would be awesome if they could figure out that you were on a motorcycle during commute hours and not charge you in the fast track lane, but then that would be more work and less money for them. 

[ptam]

Except the big difference between the GGB and the RSR bridge is that on GGB you can go to any manned booth and they'll wave you through.  On the RSR, you're relagated to just two of the booths, and they always seem to be the ones most backed up.

[Michael Moore]

Except the big difference between the GGB and the RSR bridge is that on GGB you can go to any manned booth and they'll wave you through.  On the RSR, you're relagated to just two of the booths, and they always seem to be the ones most backed up.

Exactamuno! That's what I meant to say - Patrick just put it more eloquently.

How hard would it be to have a "carpool only" lane? Sheesh.

[Vindingo]

ahhh... didnt know that.  Only been on that bridge once, and just assumed my fasttrack wasnt charged.  That must suck if you are in a car, almost $100 a month just to go over a bridge. 

[johno]

ahhh... didnt know that.  Only been on that bridge once, and just assumed my fasttrack wasnt charged.  That must suck if you are in a car, almost $100 a month just to go over a bridge. 

Yep - that $100 is paying for my new bike!   

[Michael Moore]

Also, outside of commute hours, do you carry a toll tag, and where do you keep it?

Thanks!

johno

I forgot to answer this point - I *never* carry the tag on my bike. Just go to the FT website and input your bike's license plate number and they take a picture of it when you go through and debit your account.

[ptam]

I forgot to answer this point - I *never* carry the tag on my bike. Just go to the FT website and input your bike's license plate number and they take a picture of it when you go through and debit your account.

Same here... although I've been hearing of cops ticketing people who go through Fastrack without their tag on them.  Even if you have your plate  registered with them.

[Michael Moore]

Same here... although I've been hearing of cops ticketing people who go through Fastrack without their tag on them.  Even if you have your plate  registered with them.

Ah, life on the edge...

Seriously though, that seems dumb, given that about 50% of the time when I did try to use it on my bike the thing didn't register. But then there I go again, assuming the RBB would act in a logical way. Sigh.