URGENT ALERT-California HOV bill passed Appropriation Comm

Done. Comments posted:

"As a member of the www.priuschat.com forum and user's group, I strongly support this bill as an excellent incentive to increase hybrid ownership in the State of California.

Proactively purchasing a hybrid with inherently cleaner emissions as well as the dramatically reduced fossil fuel consumption are consumer actions worth recognition and reward. HOV lanes here in the Bay Area are underutilized and overly abused. AB 2628 encourages better freeway utilization by promoting increased clean-air vehicle usage in the HOV lanes and the resulting decrease in the number of combustion engine vehicles currently jamming the tranditional lanes.

We applaud Assemblywoman Pavley and her supporters for recognizing a short-term solution to a long-term problem that can be implemented with minimal cost impact to the State and increased potential revenue."

 

I sent in a yay.

 

Sent my support.

 

Strong support sent in! What is the bill that proposes increase in gas tax?

 

Sent my support.

 

This is going to cause some flames. I hope not to offend the moderator.

I'm against it. We need mass transport. Not masses transporting one per vehicle.

Let's not be so self rightous, we're still taking up space on the roads. Let's think if everyone got a 40MPG low emmision car and still rode by ourselves on the freeway would the congestion go away?

Al

 

I don't live in CA, so I don't have all of the facts. Sounds like you have major traffic and polution issues.

I don't think people need an insentive to by a Prius or hybrid, They sell themselves. There is already such a high demand for them. If there are people carpooling now, and everyone shifts to a one car per person, you will actually increase another problem, traffic.

Again, I don't know all of what is included in the law. Just wanted to point out what this looks from an outsiders (Ohioan's) point of view.

 

If you look at the whole picture, the % of hybrids versus regular gas vehicles is less than 1%. To think there would be an overnight increase in the ratio between hybrids over gas vehicles would not be accurate.

In an ideal world, if the gas prices jumps to $10 per gallon, less trips would be generated, more car pooling for commutes, reduction of aggresive driving, and an overall reduction of emissions. Of course commercial use vehicles would have corporate accounts at lower rates. Else the increse in cost of consumer goods would sky rocket and put the nation's economy in a downard spiral. ($5 bananas and $10 watermellons anyone?)

It would also force the gas guzzling, smog generating clunkers off the road. Obviously smog check requirements at registration renewal is not very effective. The billions of dollars generated can then be used to improve roads, build mass transport (that actually works i.e. driving to the metrorail, riding the metrorail, and having another car ready at the other station so you can drive to your destination from there), and enact programs that actually make a difference.

Then again, that's an ideal world.

 

XOXOXOXOXO

 

Sent my support

 

Just joking but there some people who feel they are saving the world getting their Prius. For me I just got it because, being a Silicon Valley geek (and a motorhead), I just can't resist good tech.

Looks as if you are a neighbor. We live in Sunnyvale. See you around


Al

 

The results are in
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_...1_asm_comm.html
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_...7_asm_comm.html

VOTES - ROLL CALL

MEASURE: AB 2628
AUTHOR: Pavley
TOPIC: Vehicles - preferential lanes.
DATE: 04/21/2004
LOCATION: ASM. APPR.
MOTION: Do pass.
(AYES 19. NOES 1.) (PASS)

 

I sent the following comments just now...
"Would it be appropriate to not specify the year of manufacture of the vehicle? Shouldn''t this bill be in effect for any/all hybrid cars, for example? It looks like the inclusion of the "before [year]" text, if I''m reading it right, would require yearly reaffirmation of this bill. I would suggest that referring to "all hybrid or [suitable description] automobiles meeting the combined 45 mpg specification be included, period.
Does that make sense?

Thanks for introducing the bill, and let us know if you need help!
I just got a 2004 Prius, and personally would rarely burden the HOV or toll lanes because of where I drive. But I firmly believe that this is a very good bill for the highways and environment of California! Time for Arnold to trade one of his Hummers for a Prius?
"

Way to go, Sev, and thanks, AngelFish!
ps.
Sev and I were fraternity brothers in 1964...... small world!!!!!!!

 

[/b][/quote]

My CA Environmental plates will be "PLUSAF", on the silver '04. honk, wave, or flash your lights if you see me. for now, all it says, front and rear, is "Fremont Toyota".....

 

snipped from the link:

1)Rationale . The author argues that allowing drivers of
qualified hybrid cars to use HOV lanes on highways and toll
bridges when drivers do not otherwise qualify for use of these
lanes will create an incentive for people to purchase and
drive these vehicles, especially if the purchaser lives in a
region plagued by widespread traffic congestion.


We can't get these cars fast enough (Prius), why is a bill needed in order to encourage people to buy them?? Perhaps it would have been a good idea a few years ago, but the Hybrid's have "grown up". I just don't see anyone needing an insentive to buy them.

I guess I see you are trading one problem for another.

 

Not only did I send in my support, I receieved a lot of feedback from the friends I had emailed the link to that they also sent in their support. Not one of them is a Prius owner, but after being exposed to the TRAC Prius I had for an extended time, they were impressed.

 

I agree. HOV lanes are for lowering congestion. What we should be lobbying for is the preservation and extension of other incentives.
Registration fees should be based on emisions. That way we could call our Prius' ULTV (Ultra Low Tax Vehicles). Also, we really need to focus on the Fed Tax Credit for Hybrids. Its a crime that the 6000 lb SUV's still get huge tax credits but the hybrid tax credit is currently slated for the the garbage heap. And don't get me started on Fuel cell technology.

Jody Rawles,
Long Beach, CA

Could be a PRIUS Owner in less than 24 hours

 

No flame here, I do understand your concern, however what would happen if the road was filled with busses? Would the congestion go away? I think not, and with all those big busses spewing out loads of diesel exhaust our pollution would skyrocket. I think with your explanation the type of mass transit should be off highway, like light rail, not more busses.

I think we need to make a distinction about the original purpose of carpool lanes are. IMHO they were originally desinged for HOV, but this is not the case anymore, as a motorcycle is not a HOV, so the next step would be fuel economy, which the Prius gets better fuel economy than some motorcycles. I think that the whole concern about gridlock traffic is really about pollution and fuel waste. Since Hybrids reduce both, I think it is a fair conclusion to allow them in the HOV lane.

These whole points are really moot anyways. At my office we have about 200 workers, 95% SUV's in the parking lot. Something has got to be done about regulating SUV's smog to discourage people from buying them in the first place. Some people here are waiting for the Highlander Hybrid.

It is my opinion that congestion is caused by slow accelerating and decelerating vehicles, i.e. trucks, buses, SUV's mini vans. In my area I notice on the freeway that there are about 70% SUV's. They keep a HUGE following distance, and their vehicles don't have the spunk to accelerate or decelerate quickly like the smaller cars do. The same goes for 18 wheelers and buses.