I-405 GoodtoGo pass

[DennisJ]

Lingk to a Juy 2 article from The Bothell-reporter. I think this is the clearest explanation I have seen about Motorcycle Passes on the tolled section of I-406. Posted from PNW Riders

https://pnwriders.com/threads/yup-another-i-405-message-from-wsdot.203068/#post-3229806

 

[Niehart]

Thanks Dennis

 

[DennisJ]

I have nagging feeling that nothing good is going to come of this and that somewhere down the line a way will be found to extract money from motorcyclists, especially as the numbers of motorcycles on the road increases.

 

[Fontanaman]

Well I ordered my free not so good to go pass w/o creating an account. I will figure out where to put the sticker, but I know where I'd like to put the sticker!

Why would WSDOT want motorcyclist to put a sticker on the bike to ride for free in the HOV lanes especially considering we have been able to use HOV lanes sans a sticker on I-405 until now. How confusing is that?

Now this state (of insanity) we have HOV lanes where motorcyclist don't need a sticker to ride the HOV lanes for free; tolls on Hwy 167 and I have no clue what the rule is for motorcyclists; and now the high tech I-405 where we can ride for free if we have a sticker. Good grief. Soon I will leave a ouija board to keep track of the flipping rules.

I am not the least bit interested in giving DOT access to my checking account. In fact I don't mind paying a little more for the toll so I can pay the toll on my own terms.

 

[Niehart]

I-405 express toll lanes will open September 27

On Sunday, Sept. 27, the new I-405 express toll lanes will open between Bellevue and Lynnwood. Motorcycles will need a Good To Go! motorcycle pass to ride free in the express toll lanes.

It’s Official: Good To Go! accounts are optional for motorcycles on I-405

Motorcyclists can ride toll-free in the I-405 express toll lanes with a motorcycle pass that is not linked to a Good To Go! account. Simply install the motorcycle pass on your headlamp and you will be ready to go. Motorcycles must still pay tolls on the SR 520 Bridge and SR 16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge. If you use these roads, you will need to set up a Good To Go! account and link your motorcycle pass to avoid getting bills in the mail.

If you would like to set up a Good To Go! account, or would like to link your motorcycle to an existing account, visit MyGoodToGo.com or call customer service at 1-866-936-8246.

Motorcycle Pass only for use on motorcycles

It is illegal to install a motorcycle pass on any vehicle other than a motorcycle. Installation and use of the motorcycle pass on a vehicle other than a motorcycle will be subject to a toll evasion fine as defined in RCW 46.61.690. Washington State Patrol will enforce the express toll lanes and troopers will be able to identify when a motorcycle pass is used illegally.

Questions? Email us at [email protected]

 

[MCRIDER007]

This Good-to-Pass is a total clusterfuck and 10 times worst for anyone who doesn't live in the immediate area. I wonder if the Olympia brain trust that came up with the new rules ever realized that the Puget Sound region's economy takes in a lot of tourist's dollars and crap like this really encourages tourists to spend their dollars elsewhere.

 

[redneckj]

RCW 46.61.165

High occupancy vehicle lanes — Definition.

(1) The state department of transportation and the local authorities are authorized to reserve all or any portion of any highway under their respective jurisdictions, including any designated lane or ramp, for the exclusive or preferential use of one or more of the following: (a) Public transportation vehicles; (

motorcycles; © private motor vehicles carrying no fewer than a specified number of passengers; or (d) the following private transportation provider vehicles if the vehicle has the capacity to carry eight or more passengers, regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle, and if such use does not interfere with the efficiency, reliability, and safety of public transportation operations: (i) Auto transportation company vehicles regulated under chapter 81.68 RCW; (ii) passenger charter carrier vehicles regulated under chapter81.70 RCW, except marked or unmarked stretch limousines and stretch sport utility vehicles as defined under department of licensing rules; (iii) private nonprofit transportation provider vehicles regulated under chapter 81.66 RCW; and (iv) private employer transportation service vehicles, when such limitation will increase the efficient utilization of the highway or will aid in the conservation of energy resources.

468-510-010
High occupancy vehicles (HOVs).Pursuant to RCW 46.61.165 and 47.52.025, the department has reserved portions of interstate highways, state highways, and ramps, as HOV lanes for the exclusive use of public transportation vehicles or private motor vehicles with the number of occupants specified on signs. Motor vehicles authorized to use HOV lanes are:
(1) Rubber tired municipal transit vehicles conforming to RCW 46.04.355.
(2) Buses with a carrying capacity of sixteen or more persons, including the operator.
(3) Motorcycles conforming to RCW 46.04.330.
(4) Recreational vehicles with the number of occupants specified on signs.
(5) Official marked law enforcement and fire department vehicles equipped with emergency lights and siren, operated by an on-duty state patrol, local, or county law enforcement personnel, or on-duty local, county, or special district fire department personnel.
(6) All other vehicles with the number of occupants specified on signs, except that trucks in excess of 10,000 lb. G.V.W. are prohibited from the use of HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants. Tow trucks that would be otherwise prohibited because of weight or number of occupants may use HOV lanes when en route to an emergency on a specific roadway or roadside.
I wonder why a bike needs a transponder for the HOV lanes anywhere in this state. I got mine since my work pays for it.

 

[saread]

This is getting off to a great start. I got the free transponder w/o the GtG account and they still sent me a bill. I've got an inside contact and apparently the transponder electronics aren't talking to the cameras. There's a double billing but and the transponder was likely read and understood me as a motorcycle, but it didn't tell the camera and I got a bill for the license plate. The time frame isn't looking good for a fix either, it was described as "likely to take months". I was on hold for 45 minutes before I got a very nice person who said she'd take care of my issue. I'm really looking forward to having to spend lots of time on hold trying to fix a bill every month. Woo Hoo WSDOT!

 

[Brodie]

Sounds like it's time to mount a small Pelican case under the license plate, then 'mistakenly' leave the lid open while riding through these revenue generating situations.

Brodie

;-)

 

[its just rain]

I used the Good To Go lane for the first time last week. I put the little plastic strip on my headlight as suggested. Of course I was sure it wouldn't work correctly so the first thing I did when I got home was to log onto the DOT website for the pass and was pleasantly surprised to see that I was not billed for the little ride down 405. I'm amazed!

 

[Fontanaman]

This is getting off to a great start. I got the free transponder w/o the GtG account and they still sent me a bill. I've got an inside contact and apparently the transponder electronics aren't talking to the cameras. There's a double billing but and the transponder was likely read and understood me as a motorcycle, but it didn't tell the camera and I got a bill for the license plate. The time frame isn't looking good for a fix either, it was described as "likely to take months". I was on hold for 45 minutes before I got a very nice person who said she'd take care of my issue. I'm really looking forward to having to spend lots of time on hold trying to fix a bill every month. Woo Hoo WSDOT!

A friend of mine both ride. They tried out the new system and their experience was similar to saread's. WSDOT told my friend they had some bad transponders. His wife got a charge and fixing the issue was a time consuming mess.

I have a transponder mounted on my bike but I don't plan on trying it out anytime soon unless I need to. I did not create an account with WSDOT. I am not giving WSDOT access to my checking account. I'd rather pay a little more and force them so send me a bill by snail me.

What really irritates me they can't tell I am a motorcyclist yet they take a photo of my licence plate. Good grief.

 

[JamesW]

Have the free pass thingy mounted where I think it is readable, rode the Sat. of the tech get together and no bill to date so maybe it works? Almost 2 weeks.

 

[audiowize]

I miss my Kawasaki Versys a little, the toll cameras couldn't see the plate and I never got a bill for anything!

 

[JamesW]

Been a month and no bill so location works and is portable. Left transponder as received, stuck on backup paper, and slipped it into clear map case on tank bag facing up and in very front of case (pocket). Stuffed tank bag to elevate transponder and face it forward at about a 15-20 degree angle.

 

[saread]

Got another bill today. Tomorrow I'll spend another 45 minutes or so on hold trying to get it fixed. Thank you WSDOT.

 

[Fontanaman]

/off topic rant

Today, Friday, I was driving the car along I-405 southbound around Kirkland at noon. Five lanes and two are dedicated to 3+ HOV unless you want to pay.

Three lanes were pretty much packed with speeds from 45 to 60 mph.

The two HOV lanes were devoid of traffic.

How can this help improve traffic flow? I was with my co-worker, who was with me, said it's all about the money. Hard to argue with that.

/end off topic rant

I have the transponder on my bike. I have not tried it yet and in no hurry to try it. Getting issues fixed take more time than I have.

 

[saread]

More ranting on WSDOT: I hit the HOT lanes once last month and duly got another bill for $2.75. 45 minutes on hold, 15 minutes with an amazingly unhelpful customer service agent, plus 1-1/2 hours waiting in the Bellevue GtG office to find out that my properly installed transponder is indeed working and having my toll waived. Apparently, the sensors have a problem with the recommended transponder placement and dont see them on all motorcycles, especially FJRs. WSDOT is sending me another transponder and the recommended placement is on my helmet. Nice. It's a good thing I'm not a slave to style. **** you WSDOT.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Too bad about your trouble Steve. I haven't visited 405 since the lanes went HOT and I plan to put it off as long as possible.

With the rumblings and backlash that's beginning to form, let's hope someone, somewhere grows a pair and sticks a fork in these HOT lanes. I'm not holding out much hope though.

--G

 

[Fontanaman]

Too bad about your trouble Steve. I haven't visited 405 since the lanes went HOT and I plan to put it off as long as possible.
With the rumblings and backlash that's beginning to form, let's hope someone, somewhere grows a pair and sticks a fork in these HOT lanes. I'm not holding out much hope though.

--G

There is more than a fork than I'd like to stick in WSDOT insane toll scheme.