³ÉÈËXÕ¾

CHOKEPOINTS

Which cars actually drive in the I-405 Lexus lanes?

Sep 29, 2016, 5:38 AM | Updated: 9:13 am

lexus lanes...

The top 10 most common cars in the I-405 express toll lanes. (WSDOT)

(WSDOT)

Drivers on I-405 will have to think of a new slogan for their commutes. It turns out, calling the express toll lanes the “Lexus lanes,” is not quite accurate.

It’s more like the Ford freeway, or the Ford fast lanes. Maybe the Chevy shuffle.

Related: What we know after one year with the I-405 express toll lanes

In any case, the Washington State Department of Transportation looked into 11 months worth of GoodToGo data before the I-405 express toll lanes celebrated the one-year anniversary. Drivers with Fords use the toll lanes the most, with Chevy drivers close behind them.

A total of 21 percent of the cars in I-405’s express toll lanes were Fords; 20 percent were Chevys. Nissans make up for about 9 percent of toll traffic. And Toyota is at about 8 percent. The list dwindles after that.

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports there have been more than 12 million trips in the toll lanes since they opened just over a year ago.

“A lot of people are using them when they need it,” Ethan Bergerson with WSDOT said. “We found that most of the users – about 70 percent — are taking a trip in the express toll lanes somewhere between 1 and 5 times a month. The average is that people are using it once a week.”

Lexus lanes no more

The express toll lanes were given the nickname of the “Lexus lanes” shortly after they opened. The sentiment was that only more affluent drivers with luxury cars could afford to use them and get a quicker drive.

“We looked at the GoodToGo accounts that have used the I-405 express toll lanes,” Bergerson said. “We looked into what kinds of vehicles were linked to those accounts. We basically found that the top vehicles that use the toll lanes are Fords and Chevys. In fact, Lexuses didn’t even make the top 10, nor did other luxury vehicles.”

Bergerson said that he and others at WSDOT aren’t too surprised with the data.

“Before we opened the express toll lanes we did focus groups, we did a customer survey of people who uses State Routes 167 HOT lanes, which is a very similar system,” Bergerson said. “We found there wasn’t any link between peoples’ income level and what their opinions were of the toll lanes. We found support there of building the toll lanes across all income levels.”

In April, about six months after the express lanes opened, WSDOT did a similar survey of I-405 express toll lanes drivers.

“Nearly 60 percent of customers were satisfied with having the option (of the express toll lanes), compared to about 25 percent, less than half who were dissatisfied,” Bergerson said.

Chokepoints

Washington speed infractions...

Jason Sutich

Work zone speed cameras catch thousands of drivers in first 90 days

The Washington State Patrol has issued 7,599 infractions for drivers speeding in road work zones across the state in the last 90 days, according to ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7.

1 hour ago

Sound Transit light rail...

Chris Sullivan

Sound Transit eyes march to Everett

Sound Transit is looking to extend light rail service to Everett.

3 hours ago

Northgate rollover crash...

MyNorthwest Staff

Busy intersection in Northgate back open after rollover crash

An intersection in Northgate is back open after a rollover crash.

20 hours ago

Diverging Diamond Interchange...

Chris Sullivan

New interchange is open but westbound I-90 traffic likely won’t improve for months

The state's new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at SR 18 is now open and will hopefully improve traffic and safety.

2 days ago

WSDOT ratchets up its workload along sections of US 2 near Stevens Pass Summit (Image courtesy of W...

Nate Connors

Multiple projects underway on US 2 between Stevens Pass and Coles Corner

Beginning Tuesday, crews will be working on pavement repairs along a 4-mile section just west of the summit, near Deception Falls.

3 days ago

sound transit dogs...

MyNorthwest Staff

Dog owners celebrate! Sound Transit to allow leashed dogs in 2026, mulling other pets

Dogs will finally be allowed to ride the light rail in 2026 after the Sound Transit Board voted in favor of the furry pets' inclusion Thursday afternoon.

4 days ago

Which cars actually drive in the I-405 Lexus lanes?