Monthly Archives: January 2014
STATE ROUTE 241 WILDLIFE FENCE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency will soon install new wildlife fencing along portions of the 241 Toll Road. The new fencing and associated wildlife escape ramps are being implemented to reduce the number of animal-to-vehicle collisions and safely direct wildlife to the existing undercrossings. The new fence will be placed closer to the edge of roadway and will be upwards of 12 feet in height to prevent animals from climbing over and onto roadway.
The project is a result of a collaborative effort with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of California, Davis Wildlife Health Center and other stakeholders.
The first phase of the wildlife fencing project will be complete by June 2014, with future phases to be implemented over the next few years pending budget approval. Upon completion of the fence installation, the F/ETCA will monitor and document its effectiveness in reducing collisions and increasing usage of existing undercrossings. The data obtained post-project will serve as a model for other transportation projects.
VIDEOS EXPLAIN BIG CHANGES HAPPENING ON THE TOLL ROADS
Hopefully you’ve heard that cash toll collection is being removed from The Toll Roads in May. We’ve created a few videos explaining the changes that are happening on the roads.
This video is an introduction to all-electronic tolling on The Toll Roads. Although we are removing one method of payment (cash), there are now five ways to pay on The Toll Roads.
Watch this video to learn about the three new ExpressAccount types. With an ExpressAccount, photos of a vehicle’s license plate are used to record transactions and tolls can be charged to a credit card that evening, withdrawn from a prefunded account or invoiced once per month.
Finally, this video explains the new One-Time-Toll payment option, which was created specifically for area visitors and infrequent users of The Toll Roads. There is no account setup and no transponder, simply drive The Toll Roads and, within 48 hours after your trip, go online or use our free app to pay tolls.
And, remember, for FasTrak drivers the conversion to all-electronic toll collection will be seamless and uneventful. FasTrak accountholders don’t have to make any changes to their accounts with the conversion.
GET $50 IN FREE TOLLS!
With cash toll collection being removed from The Toll Roads in May, now is the time to sign up for FasTrak® or an ExpressAccount™ and cash in on $50 in free tolls.
To receive $50 in free tolls, simply sign up for a new account with The Toll Roads, then start a new subscription with The Orange County Register or the Long Beach Register.
Here’s how:
- Sign up for a new ExpressAccount or FasTrak account at thetollroads.com or using our free app;
- Keep your account name and number handy;
- Call The Registers at 866-710-1150 and mention offer code TOLLROAD or visit: ocrsubscribe.com/tollroad;
- Enter your Toll Road account name and number on the notes/comments page; and
- Enjoy $50 in free tolls!
Already have FasTrak or an ExpressAcount? You can get $50 in free tolls, too, when you start a new Register subscription. Just follow steps two and three listed above to receive this exclusive offer.
Fine print: Offer valid from January 1 through February 15, 2014. Free tolls are non-refundable. Free toll offer not good on other California toll facilities. The $50 in free tolls will be applied to the account within 60 days or by April 15, 2014. Home delivery of print copy only available to Register delivery areas. Offer valid for new Register subscribers only, must not have been a subscriber within the last 30 days.
NEW EXPRESSACCOUNTS LAUNCHED AT PRESS CONFERENCE
Yesterday, The Toll Roads introduced three new ExpressAccount payment options to the public at a press conference attended by board members, elected officials, community leaders, stakeholders, drivers and the media.
In May, cash toll collection will be removed from The Toll Roads. While we are removing one method of payment, we are introducing four new ways to pay. Three of those are called ExpressAccounts.
The New ExpressAccounts – New Ways to Pay Tolls Without Stopping
With the new, transponder-free ExpressAccounts, images of a vehicle’s license plate taken on The Toll Roads are linked to an account and the appropriate toll is collected. When customers sign up for an ExpressAccount, they may choose one of three payment options:
- Prepaid – Customers open an account with a prepaid balance and tolls are deducted from the amount whenever they use The Toll Roads.
- Charge – At the end of each day, customer’s tolls are charged to the credit card on file for each trip on The Toll Roads.
- Invoice – Customers are sent an invoice at the close of the month for tolls incurred that month; no need to use a credit card or link to a bank account. This account type includes an invoice fee.
ExpressAccounts can only be used on The Toll Roads (State Routes 73, 133, 241 and 261) and the toll is on average 20 percent higher than the toll paid by a FasTrak customer.
The fourth new way to pay tolls is called One-Time-Toll.
One-Time-Toll: For Visitors and Infrequent Users
A payment option has been designed for infrequent toll road drivers and visitors. “One-Time-Toll” allows out-of-town guests and tourists to use The Toll Roads without establishing an ExpressAccount or a FasTrak account. These customers may use The Toll Roads at their convenience and pay their tolls within 48 hours after driving the roads in two convenient ways: 1) visit http://www.thetollroads.com to pay online or 2) download The Toll Roads mobile app and pay easily from their mobile device. The mobile app for One-Time-Toll will be available on Feb. 1, 2014.
Already 81 percent of the daily trips on The Toll Roads are paid electronically with FasTrak®, the transponder-based electronic toll collection system used by tolling agencies throughout the state of California. Currently, 16 percent are cash transactions. When asked, cash customers say they would like a variety of ways to pay tolls and a nonstop, stress-free experience on The Toll Roads.
FasTrak: Still Lowest Tolls
Customers with FasTrak, which uses transponder technology affixed to a vehicle’s windshield, will continue to pay the lowest tolls and may be used on all toll roads, lanes and bridges throughout California. FasTrak customers won’t have to make any changes to their accounts when cash collection ceases on The Toll Roads.
We’re Hiring: Administrative Assistant
If you like driving The Toll Roads, imagine how much you’ll enjoy working for The Toll Roads.
We’re hiring an Administrative Assistant.
The Transportation Corridor Agencies, operator of California’s largest toll road network, has an opening for a full-time administrative assistant to the chief communications officer and communications and marketing department.
The ideal candidate must possess excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. Must have ability to handle heavy workload, balance priorities, manage and maintain databases and function in a team environment. Careful attention to detail is essential.
We offer a challenging and dynamic work atmosphere along with competitive compensation and benefit package. The deadline for submittal is January 31, 2014 and the salary range is $40,972 – $57,361.
For consideration please email your resume to recruit@thetollroads.com or mail to:
Human Resources
Transportation Corridor Agencies
125 Pacifica, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92618-3304
EOE/V/F/M
www.thetollroads.com
REMINDER: YOU’RE INVITED TO OPEN HOUSE LAUNCH OF NEW EXPRESSACCOUNT TYPES
EVENT REMINDER: There are big changes happening on The Toll Roads (State Routes 73, 133, 241 and 261). Starting in May, you will no longer be able to pay tolls with cash on The Toll Roads. While we are eliminating one way to pay, we’ve introduced four new methods of payment that were developed for drivers by drivers.
Now, there are five ways to pay tolls on The Toll Roads:
- FasTrak®
- Charge ExpressAccount™
- Prepaid ExpressAccount™
- Invoice ExpressAccount™
- One-Time-Toll™
You’re invited to an Open House to commemorate the launch of the three new ExpressAccount types.
WHAT: Come hear about the ExpressAccount types and sign up for the account that is right for you!
WHEN:Wednesday, January 15, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
WHERE: 125 Pacifica, Irvine, CA 92618
FREE TOLLS: Anyone who signs up for an ExpressAccount at The Toll Roads Customer Service Center in Irvine on January 15 will be entered to win $50 in free tolls.
RSVP: Feedback-thetollroads@thetollroads.com or call (949) 754-3482.
Visit our recently-refreshed website to learn more about FasTrak, ExpressAccounts and the switch to all-electronic toll collection. And, join the other drivers who are looking forward to non-stop travel and more payment choices on The Toll Roads in 2014.
THE TOLL ROADS 2013 ANNUAL REPORT
The Toll Roads and Transportation Corridor Agencies Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) Annual Report on financials is now available.
At $260,223,000, revenues were up collectively and for each of our two agencies. The number of FasTrak® accounts increased, as did the number of transponders that we have in California vehicles. During the year, 80 million tolls were paid and 85 percent of those tolls were paid electronically. We ended the year with $523 million in reserve funds.
In FY13, we welcomed a new chief executive officer, chief financial officer and 14 new Board Members who are leading the agencies and The Toll Roads with a focus on customer service; building direct connections from The Toll Roads to local freeways to advance regional mobility; working diligently to find an alternative to Interstate 5; and offering Southern California drivers an express choice that is predictable, saves time and reduces stress.
Click here to view the audited financial statements for each agency.
YOU’RE INVITED! OPEN HOUSE TO LAUNCH THREE NEW EXPRESSACCOUNT TYPES
There are big changes happening on The Toll Roads (State Routes 73, 133, 241 and 261). Starting in May, you will no longer be able to pay tolls with cash on The Toll Roads. While we are eliminating one way to pay, we’ve introduced four new methods of payment that were developed for drivers by drivers.
Now, there are five ways to pay tolls on The Toll Roads:
- FasTrak®
- Charge ExpressAccount™
- Prepaid ExpressAccount™
- Invoice ExpressAccount™
- One-Time-Toll™
You’re invited to an Open House to commemorate the launch of the three new ExpressAccount types.
WHAT: Come hear about the ExpressAccount types and sign up for the account that is right for you!
WHEN:Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at 9 a.m.
WHERE: 125 Pacifica, Irvine, CA 92618
FREE TOLLS: Anyone who signs up for an ExpressAccount at The Toll Roads Customer Service Center in Irvine on January 15 will be entered to win $50 in free tolls.
RSVP: Feedback-thetollroads@thetollroads.com or call (949) 754-3482.
Visit our recently-refreshed website to learn more about FasTrak, ExpressAccounts and the switch to all-electronic toll collection. And, join the other drivers who are looking forward to non-stop travel and more payment choices on The Toll Roads in 2014.
