So who's getting a "Peach Pass" for the express lanes on I-85 in Gwinnett?

[scott19]

I just went over the info concerning the express lanes on I-85 in Gwinnett County (Georgia). Motorcycles are exempt from fees, but only if you sign up for a Peach Pass for a (evidently one time) $20 fee and attach a transponder to your bike. I don't travel that way much, but if it's just a one time $20 fee, it might be worth getting one. I'm not digging having a transponder on my bike, but maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Opinions?

p.s. Feel free to school me if anything I stated above is incorrect. Seems a great deal of confusion about these lanes.

[Ga-Bandit]

I just went over the info concerning the express lanes on I-85 in Gwinnett County (Georgia). Motorcycles are exempt from fees, but only if you sign up for a Peach Pass for a (evidently one time) $20 fee and attach a transponder to your bike. I don't travel that way much, but if it's just a one time $20 fee, it might be worth getting one. I'm not digging having a transponder on my bike, but maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Opinions?

p.s. Feel free to school me if anything I stated above is incorrect. Seems a great deal of confusion about these lanes.

If you want a motorcycle exempt account you have to call and you'll get a FREE peach pass transponder in the mail.

You may place your transponder anywhere on the bike or person.

Contact person for M/C questions Malika at 404-893-6103 or call the regular number and request a FREE one for your bike.

If you open an account and pay the $20 you can register multiple vehicle under one account but each vehicle will have a unique transponder. You can then use the $20 for mileage fees if you are in a cage that is <3 people.

But, if you have a account set up as exempt (>2 people) and decide to drive solo one day you must log in 15-minutes before your commute and change it from "Exempt" to "Toll" and you'll be charged and will continue to be charged until you change it back to "Exempt" when you have > 2 people in the car.

Motorcycles are FREE - just call and get one and put it somewhere (under the seat) on the bike or on your person where it cannot be stolen.

[scott19]

Ahh, I see. I finally found a sentence on the DOT site that confirmed that Toll Exempt Accounts themselves are free. Took me a while to find it clearly worded. Also appears the first 300,000 transponders are free, which means they eventually won't be, so better get one now.

Hell, tack on a fee and let me lane share/filter across the state. I'd pay it.
 

[MK96xj]

Is this for GA residents only?

I ride the express lane all the time on 85. The sign states MC OK. What gives with this Pass?

[scott19]

Is this for GA residents only?

I ride the express lane all the time on 85. The sign states MC OK. What gives with this Pass?

No, out of state folks can get a pass too. This is from the Peach Pass website:

"Drivers from other states can use the I-85 Express Lanes.  However, they will need to register for a Peach Pass prior to using the Express Lanes.  Motorists should contact the Peach Pass Customer Service Center at 1-855-PCH-PASS (724-7277)."    

What this pass is for is the Express lanes on I-85 north of I-285. These were formerly HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes. Now they are HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lanes. The website FAQ explains:

"The I-85 Express Lanes are High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes that allow registered transit, three or more person carpools, motorcycles, emergency vehicles, and Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) with the proper AFV license plate (does not include hybrid vehicles) to use the Express Lanes toll-free. Vehicles with fewer than three occupants, including solo drivers, will be able to choose whether to use the general purpose lanes or pay for a more reliable trip in the Express Lanes. Vehicles with 2+ axles and/or 6+ wheels will not be allowed in the Express Lanes, as is the case today in the HOV lanes. Based on the number of vehicles using the Express Lanes, tolls will vary to keep the lanes free-flowing, even during the height of rush hour."
 

The lanes convert back to HOV lanes once inside 285, and no pass is required to use them, as always (provided you're carpooling or on a bike).

The Peach Pass website is here: http://www.peachpass.com/

The FAQ is here: http://www.peachpass.com/faq/#peach-pass


So far as I know, this is only affecting the lanes of I-85 north of 285. All the other express lanes in the city are still designated HOV.  

[eFnJustRide]

I got mine last week and used it today. free and relatively painless. It'll be interesting to see how busy the lane gets.

[jfurf]

I just ordered mine. Most of my riding on 85 is ITP, so it's not needed there, but I figure it could come in handy some time if I need to ride out into the hinterland (aka Gwinnett  ) and since it's free...

[scott19]

Ordered mine. Strangely enough, the lady I talked to kept insisting that I wasn't gonna need the the transponder! She told me that I all I needed was to have my tag number registered. Not so sure about that...

[jfurf]

Ordered mine. Strangely enough, the lady I talked to kept insisting that I wasn't gonna need the the transponder! She told me that I all I needed was to have my tag number registered. Not so sure about that...

That's the exact opposite of what the girl at the Peach Pass office told me on the phone when I registered.   She told me not to use the toll lane until I recieve the transponder.

[Ga-Bandit]

That's the exact opposite of what the girl at the Peach Pass office told me on the phone when I registered.   She told me not to use the toll lane until I recieve the transponder.

that's probably because you have to activate the transponder before your registered.

If the lady registers you directly then you're good to go. Just go on to their web site and see if the account is registered.

But, legally, you're supposed to have it on your vehicle at all times. I wrapped mine in foil, out that in a lead wrap inside bubble gum paper and put it under my seat - seriously, I do not it to read in case I'm ever "forced" out of the lane on a double white line ($70 fine if you miss a spot before an exit).

[scott19]

Went up 85 for the first time today post HOT lane deployment (in my car, not in the HOT lane itself). One nice side effect for us bikers that are registered (or will be) is that in off peak hours, the HOT lane is deserted, since it makes almost no sense for a car to use it in anything less than heavy traffic. That makes the lane practically a bike only lane and therefore much safer for us guys. When it was HOV only, there was always a little traffic in the lane to deal with, either the slow idiot in front of you or the crazy maniac behind you, lol. There wasn't a single vehicle in either direction on my whole journey today.

BTW, I was mistaken in saying that it started and stopped at 285. It actually extends down to the Chamblee-Tucker exit.    

[Snowbird]

No, out of state folks can get a pass too. This is from the Peach Pass website:

"Drivers from other states can use the I-85 Express Lanes.  However, they will need to register for a Peach Pass prior to using the Express Lanes.  Motorists should contact the Peach Pass Customer Service Center at 1-855-PCH-PASS (724-7277)."    

What this pass is for is the Express lanes on I-85 north of I-285. These were formerly HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes. Now they are HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lanes. The website FAQ explains:

"The I-85 Express Lanes are High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes that allow registered transit, three or more person carpools, motorcycles, emergency vehicles, and Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) with the proper AFV license plate (does not include hybrid vehicles) to use the Express Lanes toll-free. Vehicles with fewer than three occupants, including solo drivers, will be able to choose whether to use the general purpose lanes or pay for a more reliable trip in the Express Lanes. Vehicles with 2+ axles and/or 6+ wheels will not be allowed in the Express Lanes, as is the case today in the HOV lanes. Based on the number of vehicles using the Express Lanes, tolls will vary to keep the lanes free-flowing, even during the height of rush hour."
  

The lanes convert back to HOV lanes once inside 285, and no pass is required to use them, as always (provided you're carpooling or on a bike).

The Peach Pass website is here: http://www.peachpass.com/

The FAQ is here: http://www.peachpass.com/faq/#peach-pass


So far as I know, this is only affecting the lanes of I-85 north of 285. All the other express lanes in the city are still designated HOV.  

Holy cow. Sounds to me like Georgia has found a new way to screw up some unsuspecting out-of-stater like me who happens along on his bike and doesn't know the difference between HOV and HOT.

I rode through Charlotte, NC recently and used the HOV lane that was all but empty. I assumed I qualified under Federal law, and I'd likely do the same in Georgia. The fact that motorcycles automatically qualify was an issue fought and cleared up by the AMA... now Georgia finds a new way to mess with people.  

[scott19]

FWIW, the lane is clearly and repeatedly marked as a toll lane. The website cites the success of the program in several other cities nationwide, so evidently it wasn't Georgia's braintrust thinking it up.

[mesmotized]

I got mine last week and used it today. free and relatively painless. It'll be interesting to see how busy the lane gets.

My boss (who also rides) loves it for this reason.

It's also worth noting that the Peach Pass works for the GA-400 "Cruise" lanes as well (50 cents a pop as usual though).

[Two Brothers]

I don't agree with it.  You will not catch one of the transponders on any of my bikes.

[Ga-Bandit]

My boss (who also rides) loves it for this reason.

It's also worth noting that the Peach Pass works for the GA-400 "Cruise" lanes as well (50 cents a pop as usual though).

you have an except account with m/c. The cruise lanes charge. You must change your status at least 15-minutes prior to going through the toll from "exempt" to "charge" for it to work.

[mesmotized]

you have an except account with m/c. The cruise lanes charge. You must change your status at least 15-minutes prior to going through the toll from "exempt" to "charge" for it to work.

Really, you have to change the account type?

Stupid... I guess I won't be using the HOT lane then.

[Ga-Bandit]

Really, you have to change the account type?

Stupid... I guess I won't be using the HOT lane then.

Yep, it's useless if you want to ride your bike on GA400 and the Hot Lanes in one trip.

[scott19]

Update: I received an email from the Peachpass folks stating they have a app for changing your account status:

"The State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) has just made managing your Peach Pass account a little easier with the new "Peach Pass GO!" mobile application, or "app."  Now available for iPhone®, iPad® and Android® (versions 2.3 or higher) devices, Peach Pass GO! allows Peach Pass customers to change their toll mode and check their balance without having to call the customer service center or go online.

 

The "Peach Pass GO!" app can be downloaded at no charge from the iTunes® App Store or Android® Market and PeachPass.com. Once downloaded, Peach Pass GO! provides customers with Peach Pass account access using the same username and password established for online account management. Account balances are automatically displayed when login is completed. A second click takes account holders directly to toll mode change options, allowing customers to update their vehicle occupancy status (tolled/non-tolled) before they use the I-85 Express Lanes. Through a simple splash screen feature, all motorists will be asked to "agree" that they are not using the application while they are driving. If they select "I Agree," the application will automatically shut down.

 

"We're extremely pleased and excited to provide our customers with this new and convenient way of accessing their Peach Pass account and changing their toll mode," said SRTA Executive Director Gena L. Evans, Ph.D. "Now changing your toll mode can be done with a few taps on your mobile device and confirmation of your toll mode change appears in seconds."

 

To learn more about the Peach Pass GO! app, go to www.PeachPass.com. "  

[evilted]

Thanks for the tip.  I switched my motorcycle tags to "No Toll" mode via the app.

Update: I received an email from the Peachpass folks stating they have a app for changing your account status: