Fastrak / Carpool @ Toll Bridge

Hi,

I might be late in my response but just wanted to let you know, we once used the Fast Track lane,and we don't have Fast Track.
This is some time ago before they charge the carpool lane. Apparently there are different car pool hours in Bay Bridge and Dumbarton. When we used the Dumbarton Bridge at 6pm, car pool lane is already closed. We didn't realized until we were right in front of the toll. The next lane to the carpool lane was a Fast Track lane. We received a fine and we called to explain to them the situation and that it was too dangerous for us to try jumping a few lanes just to get to the cash lane. They told us to just pay the regular toll amount and include the explaination.

On some stretches, carpool is three is more per vehicle, not two. Maybe you only had two people so you didn't qualify for carpool.

Also, there may be a regulation that if you go through that lane without fastrack, you get billed for the full toll, not the carpool rate.

Hi A.,
I live in Fremont and take that Bridge every day to go to work. The car pool rules for all bridges changed in July 2010 (I believe), when even car pools started to be charged $2.50 instead of free toll as it was before. However in order to take advantage of the 50% discount, you have to be a registered FasTrak user othewise you are not eligible to take the car pool lane. Outside of car pool hours the car pool lane on the Dumbarton Bridge is typically closed while for example the the car pool lanes at the San Mateo Bridge are used as standard FasTrak lanes.
I assume that is the reason for the ticket. I see how this can be confusing, specifically if you do not use the bridge on a regular basis.
All the best,
C.

I got a ticket for the same thing with 4 people in my car so its not the number of people.
I wrote back and let them know when it happened I was confused and had my money out willing to pay. However, there was no toll booth agent and I couldn't summon one at the time. I sent them the $5 (or how much it is) that I owed them for the toll and told them I would not send the $25 or whatever amount they were asking for as a fine. I didn't think it was my fault and I don't think its yours either.