The toll lane was put into affect on November 10th and runs along an 11-mile stretch of the 110 between Adams Boulevard and Torrance. The people that use or plan to use this toll lane will be required to purchase a transponder for their vehicle at a cost of $40 if paid by credit card or a cost of $75 or $50 if paying with cash. Tolls run between $4 and $15.40 depending on how heavy congestion is on the 110. The plan was created to reduce congestion in these lanes and keep the average speed for toll users at round a 45 MPH average. Motorists that do not purchase transponders, but use the lane without paying tolls will face fines.
Implementing this new system feels like an added tax on these motorists that are already being taxed to keep the roadways maintained and built in the first place. I didn't know that these toll lanes were being created until this week while me and my girlfriend were driving to a school visit in Carson and I had to exit the HOV lane because it was now for toll payers only. I don't use the 110 very often but this was quite a surprise for me. And on top of this inconvenience, I saw a police officer driving down the toll lane (free of charge I'm sure) with no passengers. I understand why they are allowed to do this, but it doesn't change the fact that when you see it you are bothered just a little bit... kind of like watching a cop blow through a red light because he doesn't feel like waiting anymore, the same principles apply. I can't even imagine how the locals that depended on the HOV lane must feel. I'm sure this is affecting many people's commute to work or to schools to drop off their children and most of all this affects the locals in this area that can't afford to purchase a transponder or pay the necessary tolls. This is even more disconcerting given that if one pays with credit card they pay less for their transponder but those paying in cash have to pay up to $30 more. People with crippled credit or certain demographics that are continuously denied credit have to pay a steeper price for something they shouldn't even be paying for in the first place.
This is the exact example used in class when we were discussing ways that neoliberal policies are reflected onto the landscape. This new toll lane is very individualistic because it no longer takes priority of those generating a public good by carpooling and says if you can afford it than you can use it. Those that can afford to have access to resources have the right to use them. This measure to change this section of the HOV lane to a toll lane has very little public support and was probably not vote on in any respect, mass transit just decided to privatize this small section of subsidized infrastructure to double dip in the continuous tax revenue AND now the fees being collected.
It is unclear whether or not these tolls will help go towards improvement projects on the 110 or other roadways, but I doubt it. This landscape of neoliberal eminence has been visible for years now in Orange County with its various toll roads for its locals, but this is the first toll lane created within the boundaries of Los Angeles County and at the rate state and local budgets face crisis, this probably wont be the last time this happens. This public good, this infrastructure that is paid for, will no longer be for all of the public, but ha now been created into a tool for gaining revenue under the guise that this will help everyone to reduce congestion.
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