Proposed BAIFA Toll Ordinance Amendment 2025

What is the Schedule to Adopt Changes?

• Written public comments are due by May 9, 2025 at 5 p.m.
• Public hearing: May 9, 2025
• Adoption vote: June 25, 2025

Details on how to provide comment are below.

BAIFA will host an informational webinar via Zoom on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. to present more details and answer questions about the proposal.

• Zoom link: https://bayareametro.zoom.us/j/84200502355?pwd=MhJtYgPcMFT7t9NJ6yYGKDfNFBikSG.1
• Webinar ID: 842 0050 2355
• Passcode: 828986
• Phone: 669-900-6833  
   

How Can I Comment on Changes?

Oral testimony will be received at a public hearing on Friday, May 9, 2025, both in-person and via Zoom. See detailed instructions on participating via Zoom and phone. The meeting Zoom link, phone and accessibility instructions will be posted to the Public Hearings webpage no less than 72 hours prior to the hearing.

Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on May 9, 2025. Written comments may be submitted by any of the following methods. Please include “BAIFA Toll Facility Ordinance” in the subject line of any correspondence.

• Send an email to expresslanes@bayareametro.gov
• By U.S. mail: MTC Public Information Office, 375 Beale Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, CA 94105
• Submit the form at the bottom of this webpage
• Send a fax to 415-536-9800.
• You may also comment in person at the May 9, 2025 public hearing.

Do Comments Matter?

Yes! Past comments have led to new programs and policies for Express Lanes.  Written comments on this proposal will be summarized and presented to decision-makers before they vote on the changes.

What is BAIFA?

The Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority (BAIFA), a joint powers authority between the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA), oversees the financing, planning, and operation of MTC Express Lanes and related transportation projects. BAIFA manages MTC Express Lanes and works with Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and county transportation agencies on the overall Bay Area Express Lanes network. 

What are Express Lanes?

Express Lanes are specially designated highway lanes that offer drivers a choice to save time by paying a toll while rewarding carpoolers with the same time savings at a lower cost. Learn more about Express Lanes at expresslanes.511.org.

What is Express Lane toll revenue used for?

In compliance with state and federal law, BAIFA uses toll revenues to pay for maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, improvement, reconstruction, administration and operation of Express Lanes, including enforcement costs, and for reserve funds that are designated to be used for any of these purposes. Revenues may also be used to pay for debt financing for Express Lane costs, although BAIFA does not currently hold any debt obligations. Any remaining revenue left over after paying these costs can be spent to support mobility investments, subject to the requirement that any remaining revenue be spent in the corridor where it was generated. BAIFA is currently developing its remaining revenue policy for all its express lanes.

What is the Toll Facility Ordinance?

The ordinance establishes Express Lane tolls, a toll collection process, and civil penalties for the evasion of tolls on MTC’s Express Lanes. Learn more about the history of the toll facility ordinance and review the current version.

What would change with this amendment?

BAIFA is proposing five changes to the toll facility ordinance:

1. I-80 Express Lanes: Adopt tolling policies for the newly constructed I-80 Express Lanes in Solano County. The new corridor must be added to the ordinance before tolling operations begin later this year.
2. Pilots: Increase the allowable timeframe and parameters for pilot projects on BAIFA Express Lanes.  Pilots could be extended beyond the current limit of three years in certain circumstances, and pilots would be permitted to test alternative hours and days of the week for tolling operations.
3. Minimum Toll: Increase the minimum toll per zone from $0.50 to $0.75 for all BAIFA Express Lanes. The minimum toll is the toll when there is little or no congestion, and the increase ensures that each such transaction covers the transaction cost.
4. Clean Air Vehicle (CAV): Clarify that the CAV discount will end September 2025, at the sunset of existing federal law regarding CAV usage of carpool lanes without the qualifying number of occupants (unless the law is amended prior to that date).
5. Toll Zones: Adjust the boundaries of the toll zones on southbound I-680 to reflect the gap closure between BAIFA’s and Alameda CTC’s Express Lanes on I-680. The construction project to close the gap is expected to be completed within the next year.

Other minor clarifications and clean-up language are also proposed. 

What is the schedule to adopt changes?

• A public hearing will be held May 9, 2025, at 9:35 a.m.
• Written public comments are due by May 9, 2025, at 5 p.m.
• The adoption vote is scheduled for June 25, 2025, at 9:35 a.m.

When will tolling begin on the new I-80 Express Lanes?

The construction to build the I-80 Express Lanes in Solano County is nearing completion. The existing high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes between Red Top Road in Fairfield and Air Base Parkway in Fairfield and the newly constructed HOV lanes between Air Base Parkway in Fairfield and Interstate 505 in Vacaville opened to traffic in the westbound direction in March; the eastbound direction will open to traffic in April.  Tolling will begin on the entire length of the corridor in late 2025.

How much will it cost to use the new I-80 Express Lanes?

All vehicles need FasTrak® or FasTrak Flex® to use the I-80 Express Lanes:

• Motorcycles and carpools with three or more persons travel free with FasTrak Flex
• Two-person carpools can choose to pay half-price tolls with FasTrak Flex
• Eligible Clean Air Vehicles (CAV) can choose to pay half-price tolls with CAV FasTrak Flex
• Solo drivers can choose to pay full tolls with FasTrak or FasTrak Flex

There is a minimum toll for each zone, even when there is little to no congestion, which is set at a level that covers transaction costs; the current toll ordinance amendment proposes to increase the minimum toll to $0.75 per toll zone. The maximum toll for each zone is determined by traffic congestion.

The CAV decal program, which allows eligible vehicles to use carpool lanes, is set to end September 30, 2025, unless the relevant federal law that allows the discount is amended prior to that date. 

BAIFA is working on expanding the Express Lane START℠ pilot program, which currently offers qualified low-income drivers at least 50% discount on tolls on the I-880 Express Lanes. After adoption of the amended toll facility ordinance, the BAIFA Board will consider whether to expand this program to the I-80 Express Lanes.

How are dynamic tolls on Express Lanes calculated?

Dynamic tolling on Express Lanes is based on real-time traffic conditions. Algorithms adjust toll prices according to current traffic volume, speed, and demand. The aim is to keep traffic flowing smoothly by raising tolls during congestion and lowering them when traffic is light. To learn more about Express Lanes pricing, visit 511.org. 

How do I pay tolls on Bay Area Express Lanes?

All customers who use Express Lanes pay their tolls with FasTrak. A FasTrak Flex toll tag is a type of electronic toll collection device that allows drivers to pay tolls automatically and is required for carpools, vanpools and motorcycles to use Express Lanes toll-free or at a reduced toll. Before starting their trip, drivers should set their FasTrak Flex transponder to the correct position based on how many people are in the vehicle. This allows the toll system to automatically calculate the correct toll amount. Learn more about FasTrak Flex.

How do I get FasTrak?

Customers may sign up for and order a FasTrak tag online at bayareafastrak.org; by phone (toll free) at 877-229-8655; by printing out the FasTrak application form and mailing it to the FasTrak Customer Service Center, P.O. Box 26926, San Francisco, CA 94126; or in person at the FasTrak Customer Service Center at 375 Beale Street in San Francisco. Customers can also obtain a FasTrak tag at a Northern California Costco membership warehouse and select Walgreens locations. 

What pilots are currently in effect on BAIFA’s Express Lanes?

Express Lanes START is a trial program for income-qualified customers that provides discounted tolls on the I-880 Express Lanes.  For enrolled participants, solo drivers receive a 50% discount and two-person carpools pay 75% off the posted toll. Carpools with three or more persons always travel free in all Express Lanes. BAIFA is working on expanding the Express Lane START pilot program to the I-80 Express Lanes, upon adoption of the amended toll facility ordinance and subject to board approval. Learn more about Express Lanes START at expresslanesstart.org.

Are any new pilots being proposed for BAIFA’s Express Lanes?

In partnership, BAIFA, Solano County Transportation Authority (STA) and Caltrans are developing a pilot to evaluate operating the Solano County I-80 Express Lanes on weekends to mitigate the increasing weekend congestion and with the knowledge that weekend tolling is also under consideration for the Express Lanes under development on I-80 in Yolo County. Subject to adoption of the amended toll ordinance, BAIFA would need to vote to authorize the weekend tolling pilot.