Get your new account now to avoid penalties

We know you’ve been meaning to get to it: a FasTrak transponder. Well for those who may need a little extra incentive, it’s time to wave goodbye to the waiver! Beginning Feb. 28, drivers using the Express Lanes for State Route 237 will have to have the required FasTrak transponder to avoid penalties.

When VTA’s newest extension for State Route (SR) 237 Express Lanes opened in November 2019, several important new rules for the Express Lanes went into effect for the whole corridor, including a requirement that all users of the Express Lane must have a FasTrak transponder. 

Since then, we’ve had your back, waiving penalties left and right for those of you without FasTrak– and you know who you are! – so you could have some time to get one. However, we just can’t go on waiving things forever so this grace period will come to an end on Friday, February 28.

After this date, Express Lane violators will now receive a notice in the mail requiring them to pay both the toll at the time they were using the lane and a $25 penalty. And if you procrastinate and the violation is not paid within 30 days, an additional $45 late fee will be incurred.

Don’t let this be you because enforcement cameras are in use along the Express Lane corridor and will snap license plate images of vehicles using the lanes without a transponder. The FasTrak requirement includes motorcycles, carpoolers and previously exempt clean air vehicles. Carpoolers and motorcyclists can continue to use the lane for free, but only with the adjustable FasTrak Flex toll tag. Motorcyclists should move the switch to the 3+ position before beginning their trip.

Clean Air Vehicles (CAV) with eligible decals are no longer able to use the Express Lane toll-free, though they are eligible for a 50-percent discount with a registered CAV toll tag. A CAV toll tag must be obtained online and drivers must upload a copy of their CAV certificate for verification to receive one. Previous versions of the FasTrak Flex tag that instruct CAV drivers to switch the tag to the 3+ position will not receive the discount and should be replaced with the new CAV toll tag.

Express Lanes operating hours run from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. At all other times, the lanes are available to all drivers.

VTA’s SR 237 Express Lanes have saved approximately 12,000 daily commuters anywhere between 7 and 20 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Visit bayareafastrak.org today to sign up for your account and avoid future penalties.