This morning The Washington Post finally tackles the issue of HOT Lanes (High Occupancy Toll Lanes) after months of uncritical rah, rah cheerleading for them. This issue has mostly flown under the radar as in theory the concept sounds good (like London's congestion pricing) but the devil is indeed in the details. Yet again there is no such thing as a free lunch!
Lessons of Calif.'s Toll Lanes
Appeal and Hazards Offer Glimpse of Va. Beltway to Come
Soon, though, the secret was out. More and more drivers filled the Express Lanes, and on some nights the drive wasn't so express. Road operators reacted by jacking up the peak-hour fees -- to $2.95, and later $4.75, then $5.50 and more. Last month, Gottesman was staggered to learn that his evening drive would now cost as much as $7.75 a day.
More on the flip side...
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