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How to use Silicon Valley Express Lanes
STEP 1: ORDER YOUR TRANSPONDER
Everyone using Express Lanes within Santa Clara County is required to have a FasTrak toll tag. Order your free tag from Bay Area FasTrak.
STEP 2: SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT
Visit the FasTrak website to create and set up your FasTrak account.
Drivers of eligible clean-air vehicles with valid decals can receive a 50% discount on tolls with a special transponder.
Register for the Clean-Air Vehicle Fastrak Toll Tag. You'll need to upload a copy of your DMV-issued Clean-Air Vehicle Certification Form.
STEP 3: MOUNT YOUR TRANSPONDER
The best place to mount your transponder is on the windshield near the rear-view mirror. You can also mount it in the lower corners of the windshield.
STEP 4: USE THE EXPRESS LANES
Drive through toll lanes and pay the toll automatically through the FasTrak transponder.
The FasTrak Flex transponder has a switch to indicate the number of people in the vehicle. Set their FasTrak Flex switch position before driving.
About Express Lanes
An Express Lane is a portion of a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, also known as a carpool or diamond lane, that has been converted to a toll lane in order to better manage congestion. VTA monitors its Express Lanes to maintain a minimum speed of 45 mph, based on federal requirement.
Express lanes are marked by large overhead signage, and smaller signs located in the median. The toll amount is posted on a changeable board within the large overhead sign.
VTA currently operates Express Lanes on State Route 237 and on US 101 between State Route 237 and the Santa Clara county line. Learn more about the planning and history of VTA's Silicon Valley Express Lanes Program or the individual Express Lanes facilities:237 Express Lanes and 101/85 Express Lanes.
SR 237 Express Lanes Tolls and Hours
The toll rates on VTA's Silicon Valley Express Lane vary dynamically based on congestion. The toll on SR 237 can range from $.30 for one zone when there is no traffic to $11 for the whole corridor during peak congestion.
Operating hours for Silicon Valley Express Lanes are Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Outside of these hours, the Express Lanes are open to all traffic with no charge.
Express Lanes Customer Service
Please contact the FasTrak Customer Service Center for information including any toll disputes or questions about charges on your FasTrak account.
(877) 229-8655
From outside California: (415) 486-8655
During normal Express Lane operations, solo drivers can use the Express Lanes with a FasTrak transponder. Solo drivers will be charged the posted toll amount, which varies dynamically based on the level of congestion. The minimum toll amount is $0.30, and the maximum is $8.00.
When traffic is heavy, the Express Lanes can go into "HOV ONLY mode". This means the lane is no longer open to solo drivers paying the toll with FasTrak.
During HOV ONLY mode, only vehicles with three or more passengers, motorcycles, and clean air vehicles with appropriate decals can use the Express Lanes. When "HOV ONLY" is posted on the toll message sign, a solo driver who enters the Express Lane can be issued an HOV lane violation citation of $491.
Solo drivers who enter the HOV/carpool/diamond lane too early, or fail to exit the Express Lanes promptly, risk being cited for a carpool violation by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
With a FasTrak Flex transponder, drivers move a switch to indicate how many occupants are in their vehicle.
If you have the standard non-Flex FasTrak transponder, you will be charged the toll price at the time you entered the lane, even when traveling as an eligible carpool. You can exchange your standard transponder for the FasTrak Flex by requesting a new tag online with Bay Area FasTrak or by calling 877-229-8655.
If you have an incorrect charge on your FasTrak account, please call the FasTrak Customer Service Center to dispute the charge on your FasTrak account: 877-229-8655 [Outside of California call: (415) 486-8655].
Express Lanes Privacy Policy
VTA is committed to ensuring customer privacy and security. Read the VTA Express Lanes Privacy Policy.