Express Lanes: Trips and Tolls Both Increasing

by Ben Joyce

Seven months after opening, the 495 Express Lanes have only grown in popularity, according to Transurban officials.

Toll revenue increased 64.6 percent over the last fiscal quarter, and June 28, the final workday of the quarter, set a record for daily revenue at $78,155 behind 42,998 individual trips—an average of about $1.82 per trip. 

Transurban, the group responsible for the project's development, cites growing customer familiarity as the primary driving force behind the increasing success.

"As more and more customers get out there and they're trying the lanes, they're becoming more familiar with the project, and that's naturally lending itself to peoples' comfort to get out there and take that first trip," said Transurban spokesperson Mike McGurk.

Adding to the Express Lanes' lure is last month's speed limit increase - from 55 mph to 65 mph. While the jump was always an expectation, Transurban had to demonstrate that they could safely operate the lanes at 65 mph. Another facet that drivers continue to figure out is the dynamic tolling system which prevents the Express Lanes from filling up and negating their purpose.

"Our goal as the operator of the express lane is to always keep that road moving highway speed, so it's a faster, more predictable trip no matter what's going on on the regular lanes," McGirk said. "As it becomes more popular and more trips are taken, you're going to see the toll prices increase as well."

The average dynamic toll charged increased from $1.43 in the first quarter of 2013 to $1.71 for the second quarter, which ended in June. The maximum dynamic toll charged during the quarter was $7.55 to travel the full length of the Express Lanes, compared with the March quarter maximum of $6.35.

Just seven months into a 75 year contract, the specific revenue numbers are not Transurban's primary concern right now.