Rates Reduced on Express Lanes for Off-peak Hours
SRTA has reduced toll rates from 10-90 to 1-90 cents per mile, effectively reducing the cost to ride in the I-85 express lanes when the traffic is lighter.
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The State Road and Tollway Authority announced it has reduced the cost of driving on the I-85 Express Lanes. Instead of costing between 10-90 cents per mile depending on traffic flow, it will cost between 1-90 cents per mile. So now when the traffic flow is light, it will cost you less to drive in the toll lanes. According to a news release on the Peach Pass website, this went into immediate effect when passed by the SRTA Board on Friday.
“We are pleased to institute this operational improvement for our customers,” SRTA Executive Director Gena L. Evans said in the release. “Now motorists using the Express Lanes during off peak hours could pay as low as 16 cents for the full distance of an Express Lanes trip.”
Rates given as typical off-peak hours include, but are not limited to:
- Midday: 10 a.m. — 3 p.m.
- Evening/Overnight: 8 p.m. — 6 a.m.
- Friday: 8 p.m. — Monday 6 a.m.
SRTA officials also announced that in the next few weeks, visitors who log on to www.peachpass.com will be able to view live online streaming of key toll rates signs.
In order to achieve this, four new dedicated EarthCam cameras will be installed for the public to view toll rates on the I-85 Express Lanes at Chamblee-Tucker Road and Pleasantdale Road going northbound and Old Peachtree Road and Sugarloaf Parkway going southbound. Officials said details will be released on PeachPass.com as they become available. For more information about Peach Pass, go to www.peachpass.com.
Jeff Allen
11:35 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Yep - used it yesterday evening to get from Sugarloaf to past 285 - it cost whopping 3 cents - IMHO, it was worth it as the traffice on 85 south was moving slow and erratic due to weather.
Sharon Swanepoel
11:40 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Well, glad to hear that Jeff. It didn't make sense to me, but I guess I was wrong. I figured the problem is just at peak times. It wouldn't make sense if there wasn't a problem, to choose to pay anything, even 3 cents, if you could ride in the other lanes for free.
Jeff Allen
12:14 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
I could have used the other lanes but the volume (even on a Saturday) was more than I wanted to deal with at the time -- when I knew I could get clear sailing for a pennys I made the decison to use the HOT lanes -- I travel a lot in FLA and use the turnpikes for the same reason -- I find some value in avoiding the crazies on I95 and will pay the toll to avoid -- our crazies on 85 are just a little crazy than the good folks in FLA.. :>)
Sharon Swanepoel
12:21 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
I guess that makes sense, and from a financial point of view - all those 3 cent contributions will add up and should help take the load off those paying higher rates during peak times - maybe it will bring those rates down too. At the end of the day, we will all be Peach Pass carriers - mission accomplished. Maybe a smart move after all.
Jeffrey Allen
2:23 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
You know what also worked? Regular old HOV lanes.
Sharon Swanepoel
2:35 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Maybe not for everybody - just motorists.