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CDOT: Converting HOV To Toll Lanes Will Cut Down On Cheaters

Carpool Cheater Says He Wouldn't Use HOT Lane

POSTED: 4:33 pm MST February 27, 2006
UPDATED: 8:06 pm MST February 27, 2006

If you've ever been stuck in traffic on Interstate 25 north of Downtown Denver, you've probably wondered when the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes will convert into HOT or High Occupancy or Toll lanes, where, for a fluctuating fee, solo drivers will be able to use those lanes.

Well, the conversion should happen in June. The Colorado Department of Transportation thinks that opening up the HOV lanes to solo drivers who pay a toll will cut back on carpool cheaters.

As motorists drive under those electronic toll scanners, carpoolers will have to be in one lane and solo drivers in the other. If they get mixed up, they could end up getting pulled over.

"Motorists that have a transponder will now be able to pay a toll and use the lanes," said CDOT spokeswoman Stacy Stegman.

The same transponder that works on E-470 and the Northwest Parkway will work on I-25. C-DOT said the toll will range from 50 cents to $3.25.

"It's cheaper in the off-hours and it gets more expensive in the peak hours so that we can regulate the flow of traffic," said Stegman.

"I, myself, know that carpooling for me is next to impossible just because of the hours that I work," said driver Greg Pringle.

Pringle lives in Broomfield and works in east Denver. He's been getting stuck in traffic for years.

"That's when I came up with the Tillie idea, to fool people -- most people anyways...Ha ha," Pringle said.

Tillie was a mannequin he created to get into the HOV lane. It worked until last January when Westminster police busted him.

Pringle doesn't think he would use the HOT lane. He said if too many people are willing to fork over the cash, it too could get clogged.

"You're going to say, 'What the heck did I pay $3.25 for? And I saved myself 10 minutes,'" Pringle said.

Pringle doesn't think he'll be tempted to use another mannequin anytime soon. He goes to court Thursday and could end up paying more than $100 in fines.

CDOT said they'll use some of the money from the tolls to beef up enforcement in the HOV/HOT lanes. So cheaters, beware.

For more information on where they HOT lanes will be erected and how this will affect your daily commute, click here.


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