Update: Governor Deal Reduces HOT Lane Rates

Less than a week after the I-85 toll lanes were introduced Gov. Nathan Deal announced that he's making some changes to the rules of usage for the controversal High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. The changes he hopes will encourage more people to use the toll lanes.

• Lower toll rate beginning Thursday (Oct. 6) afternoon.
• Find ways to improve access and exit points for southbound traffic.
• Request a federal waiver to reduce required number of passengers from three to two.

“Looking at what we’ve learned from our first four work days with the HOT lanes, I’ve asked the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) to improve utilization of the express lanes,” Deal said. “In the short term, the toll rate will lower – starting with Thursday afternoon’s commute – but the effective rate will continue to change to regulate speed and volume.

The governor acknowledged that even before opening the toll lanes they realized improvements to access and exit points in the southbound lane were needed.

"SRTA and the Georgia Department of Transportation are working together and I’ve directed them to prioritize this action," said Deal.

And “lastly, I-85 has long required two passengers for the express lanes. Federal regulations in effect with the HOT lanes increased the requirement to three passengers. I will pursue a federal waiver to move the requirement back to two, announced the governor.

 “All of these actions are intended to increase the volume in the express lanes while maintaining its steady pace, relieve congestion in the all-access lanes, and encourage carpooling and use of the Peach Pass.

Despite the toll road's apparent low usage, SRTA continues to issue, on average, 1,700 Peach Passes a day.

In the release from the governor's office as of Thursday, Oct. 6, there are 75,000 passes in circulation. The state's target is to have 175,000 Peach Passes in use.