California Prius HOV lane sticker "gold rush"

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cmwade77 @ Apr 5 2006, 09:56 AM) [snapback]235280[/snapback]</div>

And, unfortunately, the Prius doesn't qualify.

And if you have a car that does qualify, it costs about $70 each year to keep the plate.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BellBoy @ Apr 4 2006, 10:44 AM) [snapback]234708[/snapback]</div>

This is totally a carrot on the stick issue. The more people drive hybrids in lieu of ICE only cars, the better for our atmosphere(if you believe the "theory" of global warming). Why does it matter if there are people who are smug about the carrot even if they don't actually eat the carrot?

 

Since the OP had LA in mind, take Disneyland for example. There are 20 lines at the entrance. Some lines are invariably shorter than others. Are you entitled to switch lines or search for the shortest as long as you start at the end of that line? Sure. It's a free country. But you can stay in whatever line you like. Would you look like a kook if you fought to get to the shortest line then turned away at the entrance and said, not interested in going in? Yes. All CA super clean advanced technology hybrid car owners (and EV and fuel cell and CNG) that meet the MPG requirements qualify for stickers. If these owners want the stickers, then they are "entitled" to them (by law ). You never know if your situation will change. Move, job change, work location change, etc. Might as well take advantage of the law.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(burritos @ Apr 5 2006, 01:22 PM) [snapback]235440[/snapback]</div>

I don't give a doodly squat about the smug factor. My only concern is in people thinking that driving solo in a Prius is as good or better for the environment than actually carpooling.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Apr 5 2006, 02:17 PM) [snapback]235471[/snapback]</div>

Maybe in your world... Most of us mortals are coming to the Prius from a gas-guzzling polluter. If I carpooled in our Tahoe (16.8 mpg lifetime, pollution, etc.), that would not be better than solo in my Prius. Particularly if my fictitious carpool buddy bought a Prius too.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(too tall @ Apr 5 2006, 02:25 PM) [snapback]235476[/snapback]</div>

With all due respect to Darell, I totally agree with too tall's statement. I see old beat-up junkers all over the carpool lane everyday (driving on the 110 freeway through S. Centra LA) that probably get about 10mpg and are pumping out clouds of black smoke faster than I can hit the Recirculate button on my steering wheel.

I can't imagine that they are doing more for the environment than a solo HOV driver in a Prius.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(too tall @ Apr 5 2006, 02:25 PM) [snapback]235476[/snapback]</div>

Excellent. And you mortals should be commended! Just imagine the god-like status you could attain with a *gasp* Prius carpool! Just imagine if your "fictitious carpool buddy had a Prius too" and you guys continued to carpool in just ONE of your Prii every other day. I'd genuflect in your general direction.

Yes, better to drive the Prius than a stinker. Yet commuting solo in a five-seater vehicle still keeps more cars on the road, clogging it up for everybody. But I'll take the baby steps over apathy any day!

And by the way - if you guys see a polluter on the road, call it in! That will make your Prius count for even MORE clean points. Don't just let 'em get away with it when you could be a BIGGER part of the solution. http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/complaints/smoke.htm

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(too tall @ Apr 5 2006, 02:17 PM) [snapback]235470[/snapback]</div>

I have a completely different reason for having the stickers. I am on call to three of our customers such that if they call, I have to be there within 2 hours. One of these customers is in Redondo Beach. I have to be able to get there within 2 hours. Now, normally, that is not a problem for me (I live near Disneyland), but in some instances I have not been able to make it in time. The contract states that I will be there within (not around) 2 hours. So, to be able to get there on time, I have the stickers.

No, it is not an entitlement, but it is an option with the Prius. Those of us that need them should have them.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(subarutoo @ Apr 5 2006, 12:10 PM) [snapback]235401[/snapback]</div>

but of course, to tow the track car...






Oh... I am going to get hammered for this one.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finally_got_one @ Apr 5 2006, 04:29 PM) [snapback]235546[/snapback]</div>

What did you do before HOV access was recently granted? And what would you have done if it handn't been? And what will you do in 1.5 years when it goes away?

I don't mean these questions in a snotty way - just worried about your situation depending so heavily on the HOV access that is so transient.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Apr 5 2006, 11:27 PM) [snapback]235710[/snapback]</div>

Sort of like getting "high speed internet" for $12.99 a month. Fashion an incentive to get people hooked on broadband, and once the incentive is gone, you're hooked and will pay almost anything thereafter.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Apr 5 2006, 04:17 PM) [snapback]235471[/snapback]</div>

It's not better, but it is better than the vast majority of since car users.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Apr 5 2006, 11:38 AM) [snapback]235309[/snapback]</div>

I agree- there are always better ways to reduce air pollution- taking public transportation or not driving at all- everyone has an ability to increase their awareness and change their behaviors. For most, just going to a hybrid is a big change-- not many have elevated ourselves to the Darrel status!! But you serve as a great example. Thanks

 

Darell is my newest idol!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(samoan_ridah @ Apr 6 2006, 11:08 PM) [snapback]236228[/snapback]</div>

Ha! Snort. OK... stop it guys. ( I can't even sing!) I've already got enough people ticked off at me for living up here in my ivory tower (I still need to figure out just what that is accusing me of. Isn't taking ivory pretty bad for the elephant???)

I guess in my pathetic little world of wishful thinking, I'd like to see more people buy the Prius for the benefits it offers to everybody... instead of ONLY buying it to get ahead of everybody else on the freeway. I don't mean that is a judging way... just in a wishing way.

(note: I just found the definition of Ivory Tower. "someone living in an ivory tower is—by accident or design—sheltered from the realities of existence, out of touch with the real world.")

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Apr 5 2006, 09:27 PM) [snapback]235710[/snapback]</div>

You know, I'm glad you said that since I've been thinking it ever since people were saying that they bought the car for the stickers. I just didn't want to get raked over the coals...I wonder if/when the stickers are stopped if people will get another car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BellBoy @ Apr 7 2006, 10:03 AM) [snapback]236312[/snapback]</div>

I won't, I plan to run this car into the ground. Just like I was planning on running my Acura into the ground before the HOV incentive came along.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BellBoy @ Apr 7 2006, 10:03 AM) [snapback]236312[/snapback]</div>

Not if- WHEN carpool stickers will be stopped is the key word- the author of the bill, Fran Pavley, is termed out this year. A new bill has to be sponsored for anything past 12/31/2007.

WRITE YOUR Assemblyperson!!!!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(harrv @ Apr 5 2006, 12:52 PM) [snapback]235424[/snapback]</div>

The Prius does qualify, I saw a few of them with the Clean Air Vehicle liscense plates on them while I was there. As for the costs, don't know about that part.

 

I'm wondering what happens when they hit the 75K limit...do they just stop giving out stickers? What about when they expire (right now that's set for 7/08) - do they grandfather in the ones that are already out there?

When I was looking for my Prius, I had more than one dealer try to push a used one on me that already had the stickers, and as a result I'm wondering if the resale value of your car will be impacted by whether or not you have these things. For me, that's a bigger concern than the $8 that I've spent on getting the stickers.

Even if I don't put them on the car, which I'm currently not planning to, I think it's well within my rights as a consumer to take advantage of every incentive the government is willing to offer me. If that just so happens to help my resale value a few years down the road, excellent. If it also happens to save me a ton of time if/when I move from West LA to the Valley or Valencia or Gorman or wherever the heck affordable housing is, even better.

I guess I just don't see this as entitlement. I just think it's being smart and taking advantage of what's being offered to me as a hybrid owner. I got this car for a number of different reasons, not just HOV access. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, that's cool. But I think it's equally wrong to get on a high horse about it. Just my $0.02.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BellBoy @ Apr 7 2006, 08:03 AM) [snapback]236312[/snapback]</div>

Glad I could help. I've been over the coals so many times that I barely notice it any longer. Let me know if there's anything else I should say.