Notes on the freeway toll lane project

-After reading today's story, MTA spokesman Rick Jager called to clarify what he meant when he talked about the MTA studying the idea of putting toll lanes on every freeway in the county. It is true, he said, that the MTA is looking at every freeway as a possible place to expand the program, but the agency does not envision expanding the program to EVERY freeway.

-Another key line in the story came from Congressman Gary Miller:

"The bill is going to happen," said Miller. "There is no way that they can get this project done."

-When I asked Jager about this federal bill that is supposedly a lock to happen, his attitude was basically that the agency can only take one step at a time. Right now, the agency needs to worry more about getting state legislation under way.

-I've heard rumblings that the agency is going to get Fabian Nunez to sponsor the legislation.... I floated the rumor past several legislators, MTA officials, etc. Some said they had heard nothing about it. Some said they had heard the same rumor. Wouldn't be shocking since Nunez and Villaraigosa are buddies, and Villaraigosa really wants this project done.

Finally, there is one key quote at the end of the story:

"The other option would be to change the occupancy rule from two people per car to three," said Fasana. "There is too much congestion for it to continue the way it is."

So, San Gabriel Valley, if the choice is between having three-person carpool lanes or having a toll lane, which is worse? I imagine the answer depends on whether three-person carpools will be able to use the toll lanes for free. And the answer to that depends on whether you talk to MTA or the federal government.