Calif HOV Decal rejections??

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(travis624 @ Oct 10 2006, 02:15 PM) [snapback]330859[/snapback]</div>

I submitted my application for the decal on 9/22. Check has been cashed, but I haven't received the stickers yet.

 

I submitted my application on 9/25/2006 and my check has not cleared as of today.

 

I have had my Prius since July, and did not send in an application for HOV lane. I have not yet seen the benefit to having the sticker, because I can get better gas mileage in the second lane of the freeway. Just wondering:

What are the actual benefits to having the stickers, other than single occupancy in the HOV lane? Is there any reason that I should expect to be treated differently with the stickers, or is there any added tax incentive to have them?

Not trying to be snooty or anything, I just haven't figured out if there are any additional benefits to me taking up space in the HOV lane that someone else with several people in their car might use.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(noperfecto @ Oct 11 2006, 02:19 PM) [snapback]331371[/snapback]</div>

In addition to the HOV benefit, if you have the sticker you can park in LA & Santa Monica meters for free, though still subject to time limitations. Without the sticker, you may be cited.

For me the stickers become a life saver during rush hours plus i quickly grew into them.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(noperfecto @ Oct 11 2006, 02:19 PM) [snapback]331371[/snapback]</div>

Saving time, and probably parking.

If you're from Pasadena, then you are well-aware of the tendency of traffic to jam in our area. If one more car can be out of the main traffic lanes, that's just one more car that can take your place and probably get home faster. It means a possible less waste of your time, and others, which is more wasteful stop-n-go, or parking on the freeway, then just getting out of there.

Of course, if the carpool lanes are plugged also then there's no incentive, but it's a decision you get to make. However, there aren't many carpool lane opportunities in the Pasadena area anyways, so it may be moot.

Also, seems LA City now requires? the stickers in order to just park for free under the hybrid parking program.

 

noperfecto - You have never wanted to jump into the carpool lane? I generally drive in the slower lanes to keep my MPG up, but when the traffic is backed up, I jump into the carpool lane. There's lots of Prius owners who use the stickers when "needed." But most of the time, we are cruising along waching those yellow bars.

 

noperfecto -- just a thought, but if they do cap the number of stickers, then having them may be a selling point, whenever you get around to selling. (But then you'd be taking an allocation away from somebody else who could really use it, so nevermind.)

 

How about this...
By taking the HOV lanes (which are mostly empty along my commute routes), I reduce ONE vehicle from non-HOV lanes. This would benefit those poor fellow drivers that are not legally allowed to use HOV lanes. In short, I help balance traffic on each lane and maximize traffic flow....

Seriously, once in a while, you need to run an errand during rush hours, those stickers are life-saver, indeed. For me, it saves about 5-10 minutes off my 35-minute commute every morning.