Lexus lanes are smart urban planning on clarkhoward.com

Clark ruffled some feathers in the past when he discussed so-called Lexus lanes. These lanes on the freeway are toll roads that you must pay to access. The benefit to doing so is that you're guaranteed a speed limit ride -- for a price.

Orange County is the pioneer of Lexus lanes. They also use dynamic-demand pricing (aka congestion pricing) based on traffic. When traffic is light, you may pay just 50 cents to use a road. But during rush hour, you may pay up to $6.

The question is, "Are Lexus lanes elitist and harmful to the public?" Clark thinks not. A joint study from UCLA and USC supports his belief. Researchers found that the road was paid for by those who use it -- a logical presumption, but one supported when they actually crunched the numbers.

The idea of roads being free is misleading. You have "freeways" that cost millions to build and maintain. It just seems like a free ride because there are no toll-booths.

In Clark's estimation, Lexus lanes are smart urban planning and can help reduce congestion.

What others are saying

Econ 101
Sean Jr: Please take an Econ 101 class. Roads are a public good (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_good). Gas is not.
By Sean @ 09/02/08 03:49:22 PMreport abuse
Give Me My Freedom!
Free gas for my free car - I love taxing the rich!
By Sean Jr. @ 09/02/08 02:25:06 PMreport abuse
Pay lanes
I notice that Clark is willing to have an intrusive government if he thinks it will save him money. Such as the car lanes and mandated health insurance. There are somethings that are more important than money. Freedom is one that comes to mind.
By Bruce Clarkson @ 09/02/08 01:07:34 PMreport abuse
pay lanes
if they tried that around here i would pay to ride in the lane then break down and block it every day during rush hour. if they put in extra lanes it should be hov lanes or otherwise free to use. I hope people protest and intentionally run out of gas in the pay lane every rush hour!!
By Dave @ 09/02/08 12:59:48 PMreport abuse
Lexus
It is interesting how we are becoming a nation of separate groups. Instead of "all of us in this together", attitute that this nation was built on here we see the rich against the poor.
If this country is going to prevail we have to work for something that works for "The Haves","The Have Mores" and the common person.
By Lou @ 09/02/08 12:58:44 PMreport abuse
"The idea of roads being free is misleading. You have "freeways" that cost millions to build and maintain."

Isn't this the reason why we pay gas taxes?! Perhaps the real problem is the money is spent on other things?
By Ned Puddleman @ 09/02/08 11:15:45 AMreport abuse
Lexus Lanes
I think we need a different solution to road congestion than this- something more along the lines of subway or mass public transportation to reduce congestion, pollution and dependence on foreign oil!
By Kelly @ 09/02/08 10:41:33 AMreport abuse
Solving All the World's Problems
Taxing the rich will solve all the world's problems. I wish the rich were richer, so we can tax them more.
By Rich @ 09/02/08 09:50:05 AMreport abuse
Taxes
Groceries are a tax on the poor. Tax the rich and give everyone free groceries!

Utilities are a tax on the poor. Tax the rich and give everyone free power!

Fuel is a tax on the poor. Tax the rich and give everyone free gas!
By Eric @ 09/02/08 09:38:30 AMreport abuse
A tax on the poor?
If this (Lexus lane) is a tax on the poor, they are paying it voluntarily, aren't they? I don't see a problem
By Brian @ 09/01/08 08:55:22 PMreport abuse
Bad Idea
Any toll is in a sense more a tax on poor. Lets say it costs 50 cents each way to take Georgia 400. That dollar doesn't hurt if you are worth millions, but if you make minimum wage, you are going to feel it.
By Bad Idea @ 09/01/08 07:51:01 PMreport abuse
Economic Segregation
It does seem over the top to have such segregation for a public owned asset. This just continues to fuel the pressure between the classes. Not in the right direction.
By Ben @ 08/30/08 08:23:22 PMreport abuse
Ridiculous
Yes. Great idea. Let's create more pollution and send more money to the Middle East.
By Sean @ 08/29/08 06:16:25 PMreport abuse
Tax on the Poor 2
The cost to buy a car is also a tax on the poor, and even more unfair.

Tax the rich and give every American a free car!
By Sean Jr. @ 08/29/08 05:40:30 PMreport abuse
Tax on the Poor
This is a tax on the poor, and unfair.

Faster transportation? Tax the rich and build better mass transit.
By Sean @ 08/29/08 04:42:14 PMreport abuse

Econ 101

Sean Jr: Please take an Econ 101 class. Roads are a public good (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_good). Gas is not.

By Sean @ 09/02/08 03:49:22 PMreport abuse

Give Me My Freedom!

Free gas for my free car - I love taxing the rich!

By Sean Jr. @ 09/02/08 02:25:06 PMreport abuse

Pay lanes

I notice that Clark is willing to have an intrusive government if he thinks it will save him money. Such as the car lanes and mandated health insurance. There are somethings that are more important than money. Freedom is one that comes to mind.

By Bruce Clarkson @ 09/02/08 01:07:34 PMreport abuse

pay lanes

if they tried that around here i would pay to ride in the lane then break down and block it every day during rush hour. if they put in extra lanes it should be hov lanes or otherwise free to use. I hope people protest and intentionally run out of gas in the pay lane every rush hour!!

By Dave @ 09/02/08 12:59:48 PMreport abuse

Lexus

It is interesting how we are becoming a nation of separate groups. Instead of "all of us in this together", attitute that this nation was built on here we see the rich against the poor.
If this country is going to prevail we have to work for something that works for "The Haves","The Have Mores" and the common person.

By Lou @ 09/02/08 12:58:44 PMreport abuse

"The idea of roads being free is misleading. You have "freeways" that cost millions to build and maintain."

Isn't this the reason why we pay gas taxes?! Perhaps the real problem is the money is spent on other things?

By Ned Puddleman @ 09/02/08 11:15:45 AMreport abuse

Lexus Lanes

I think we need a different solution to road congestion than this- something more along the lines of subway or mass public transportation to reduce congestion, pollution and dependence on foreign oil!

By Kelly @ 09/02/08 10:41:33 AMreport abuse

Solving All the World's Problems

Taxing the rich will solve all the world's problems. I wish the rich were richer, so we can tax them more.

By Rich @ 09/02/08 09:50:05 AMreport abuse

Taxes

Groceries are a tax on the poor. Tax the rich and give everyone free groceries!

Utilities are a tax on the poor. Tax the rich and give everyone free power!

Fuel is a tax on the poor. Tax the rich and give everyone free gas!

By Eric @ 09/02/08 09:38:30 AMreport abuse

A tax on the poor?

If this (Lexus lane) is a tax on the poor, they are paying it voluntarily, aren't they? I don't see a problem

By Brian @ 09/01/08 08:55:22 PMreport abuse

Bad Idea

Any toll is in a sense more a tax on poor. Lets say it costs 50 cents each way to take Georgia 400. That dollar doesn't hurt if you are worth millions, but if you make minimum wage, you are going to feel it.

By Bad Idea @ 09/01/08 07:51:01 PMreport abuse

Economic Segregation

It does seem over the top to have such segregation for a public owned asset. This just continues to fuel the pressure between the classes. Not in the right direction.

By Ben @ 08/30/08 08:23:22 PMreport abuse

Ridiculous

Yes. Great idea. Let's create more pollution and send more money to the Middle East.

By Sean @ 08/29/08 06:16:25 PMreport abuse

Tax on the Poor 2

The cost to buy a car is also a tax on the poor, and even more unfair.

Tax the rich and give every American a free car!

By Sean Jr. @ 08/29/08 05:40:30 PMreport abuse

Tax on the Poor

This is a tax on the poor, and unfair.

Faster transportation? Tax the rich and build better mass transit.

By Sean @ 08/29/08 04:42:14 PMreport abuse

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Aug 29, 2008 -- Lexus lanes are smart urban planning

What others are saying