FasTrak

[makken]

I never had a need for FasTrak since I don't live in an area with toll roads/bridges, but lately, I've been needing to travel to and from SFO a lot. This means crossing either the bay bridge or the san mateo bridge. I don't mind digging around for cash every once in a while for a toll, but now its getting to the point of annoyance, so I'm considering FasTrak

That said, I'm trying to figure out how it works, and the website's wording is pretty vague. Is there a required minimum monthly usage? How much do the tags cost? Can I open 2 accounts (1 per vehicle) on the same credit card?

 

[saratoga172]

There's a nice little invention called the phone. And businesses have these things called phone numbers. You should try it. It's a game changer.

 

[makken]

Yes, because I'm going to find someone to talk to at 3am.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I'm sure their website explains everything. Google, use it.

You could also participate in the casual carpool and not have to pay a toll at all and drive right thru the toll booths.

 

[makken]

I'm sure their website explains everything. Google, use it.

You could also participate in the casual carpool and not have to pay a toll at all and drive right thru the toll booths.

Its usually just me + 1 other in the car so I don't qualify for carpool. Last I checked, carpool on the bay bridge required fastrak and you still had to pay $2.50.

only 1 or 2 relavent results on google, rest is shit like fastrak healthcare, fastrak bikes, etc. hell I can't even get a straight price on the fastrak tags on google shopping.

 

[Capt Caveman]

You suck at google. Very first hit on both.

Google - fastrak, bay bridge

Google - casual carpool, bay bridge

Looks like the free ride is over for the casual carpool but you can till get into SF faster

 

[makken]

You suck at google. Very first hit on both.

Google - fastrak, bay bridge

Google - casual carpool, bay bridge

Looks like the free ride is over for the casual carpool but you can till get into SF faster

very first hit on that is the EXACT WEBSITE THAT I'M SAYING IS VAGUE. don't you think the official fastrak website would be the VERY FIRST one that I would go to to look for information on it?
both it and the BATA website just seem to glance over the program.

 

[Capt Caveman]

very first hit on that is the EXACT WEBSITE THAT I'M SAYING IS VAGUE. don't you think the official fastrak website would be the VERY FIRST one that I would go to to look for information on it?
both it and the BATA website just seem to glance over the program.

/facepalm

http://www.bayareafastrak.org/static/about/faq.shtml

 

[her209]

In Orange County, they give you a transponder. I believe you can have multiple transponders tied to one account and the account is tied to a card. The transponder is affixed via velco to the windshield or dashboard so that when you pass under the sensor in the FasTrak lane, it can read the transponder ID and bill you accordingly. When you pass under the sensor, the transponder makes a beep so you know it read it.

This was in 2005/2006 though so things may have changed since.

 

[novasatori]

the thing I thought was dumb about this is the fact you have to maintain a minimum balance

the passes we used in OK before I moved here, you just paid the bills when they came...

which sucks because otherwise I would just get a FasTrak, but I don't use it enough to feel its worth keeping a balance in it.

 

[makken]

/facepalm

http://www.bayareafastrak.org/static/about/faq.shtml

/facepalm.

Is there a required minimum monthly usage? How much do the tags cost? Can I open 2 accounts (1 per vehicle) on the same credit card?

Unless I'm completely overlooking something in the FAQ, it doesn't address any of the questions I had.

 

[novasatori]

here is another faq which details the tag fees and minimum balance I was talking about:
http://www.bayareafastrak.org/static/about/faq_maint.shtml#3

Is there a deposit required for my toll tag(s)?
A deposit may be required when you open your FasTrak account. For FasTrak accounts replenished by credit card, a deposit will NOT be required for the first three (3) toll tags issued to your FasTrak account. If more than three toll tags are issued, you will be charged a deposit of $20 for each additional toll tag.

How is the prepaid balance in my account replenished?
Account replenishment is different depending on the type of replenishment method you chose at the time you opened your account.

For credit card accounts, automatic charges will be made to your credit card to replenish your FasTrak account whenever your prepaid toll balance falls below $15 or the minimum threshold.

For cash/check accounts, you are responsible for depositing prepaid tolls into your FasTrak account whenever the "Low Bal" or "Account Low" message appears on the Driver Feedback Display located at the toll booth. You must replenish your account whenever your prepaid toll balance falls below $30 or the minimum threshold.

How is the replenishment amount determined?
For credit card accounts, the amount charged to your credit card (i.e., your replenishment amount) will be equal to one month’s average usage (based on the previous 90 days of use) or $25, whichever amount is greater. For cash/check accounts, the replenishment amount will be equal to one month’s average usage (based on the previous 90 days of use) or $40, whichever amount is greater.

 

[makken]

the thing I thought was dumb about this is the fact you have to maintain a minimum balance

the passes we used in OK before I moved here, you just paid the bills when they came...

which sucks because otherwise I would just get a FasTrak, but I don't use it enough to feel its worth keeping a balance in it.

There's a minimum balance? hmm according to the terms and services:

If you select the credit card option, your account will be charged an initial prepaid balance of $25 per Toll Tag. In addition, you authorize BATA to replenish your account by charging a minimum of $25 or the higher average monthly usage to your credit card each time your toll account balance falls below your replenishment threshold (initially $15).

So I can't do something like set the replenishment threshold to zero?

--see what I mean about the website being vague

 

[makken]

here is another faq which details the tag fees and minimum balance I was talking about:
http://www.bayareafastrak.org/static/about/faq_maint.shtml#3

Thanks.

hmm

How is the prepaid balance in my account replenished?
Account replenishment is different depending on the type of replenishment method you chose at the time you opened your account.

For credit card accounts, automatic charges will be made to your credit card to replenish your FasTrak account whenever your prepaid toll balance falls below $15 or the minimum threshold.

How is the replenishment amount determined?
For credit card accounts, the amount charged to your credit card (i.e., your replenishment amount) will be equal to one month’s average usage (based on the previous 90 days of use) or $25, whichever amount is greater.

doesn't define the 'minimum threshold,' though the only being able to replenish $25 or more kinda sucks. I was just planning to keep the account at zero and just load in $6 or something whenever I head to SF, guess it won't work like that.

bummer.

 

[MotionMan]

doesn't define the 'minimum threshold,' though the only being able to replenish $25 or more kinda sucks. I was just planning to keep the account at zero and just load in $6 or something whenever I head to SF, guess it won't work like that.

bummer.

Just to close the loop, the minimum balance technically is $25, but, if you game the system right, you can keep as little as $15.01 in your account.

MotionMan

 

[tnewt]

Before you get FastTrak, check out the 1 star horror stories at:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fastrak-san-francisco

It really isn't set up for people who don't commute across the bridges every day. In fact, they charge you $7 a month if you don't use it. Read the fine print.

 

[TheNinja]

Before you get FastTrak, check out the 1 star horror stories at:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fastrak-san-francisco

It really isn't set up for people who don't commute across the bridges every day. In fact, they charge you $7 a month if you don't use it. Read the fine print.

I don't know about some of those reviews. I have a FasTrak in each vehicle that I use maybe every few months. When I do use it though it is worth it. I'm not getting charged anything if I don't use it.

As long as you use it 1x per 12 months it will remain open.

I payed like $30 for each device with $25 preloaded. There was some deal going on at Safeway at the time. Yes you can put 2 devices/cars on 1 account but they will maintain a $25 per device I believe.

It is very handy even if you only use it once in a while. They claim they are going to start allowing it for things like parking at the airport and such.