Metro votes to keep Express Lanes on 110, 10 freeways

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Metro's Board of Directors voted unanimously Thursday to keep the ExpressLanes program, a pilot that replaced traditional carpool lanes with toll lanes in the hopes of alleviating traffic in Los Angeles.

Metro made more than $20 million in the past 14 months from the program. Officials said they plan to invest the money back into transit and pedestrian improvements.

In the past month, Metro has held several public hearings to gather input on the program. Opinions have been mixed.

An independent study conducted by the Federal Highway Administration said the lanes did cut back on a driver's commute during peak hours. But the report also said the lanes on the 110 Freeway were not significantly impacted.

Critics said many commuters can't afford the high tolls and called the program unfair. Some have even dubbed the ExpressLanes, "Lexus Lanes."

The toll lanes are on the 110 Freeway from Harbor Gateway Transit Center to Adams Boulevard and the 10 Freeway between the 605 Freeway and Alameda Street. The lanes are marked by a FasTrack sign.

Those who drive solo in ExpressLanes must pay a toll based on traffic conditions. The worse the traffic, the higher the toll is. The minimum toll when traffic is lighter is $0.25 per mile, and the maximum toll during peak congestion is $1.40 per mile.