The driver in Central Florida says he’s not satisfied with the first week of dynamic cooking on the I-4. There, the price of riding Express Lane could rise based on crowding levels. But wait until they see what comes.
Florida’s Department of Transportation says lane tolls could now be as low as $3, depending on traffic. This is six times the maximum possible charge before dynamic tolls, but agents stress that they don’t think tolls will rise very frequently.
Still, commuters responding to a Wednesday morning post on the Orlando Sentinel Facebook page said they believe they will pay enough for the toll now. And it’s the highest price itself that was seen to be 75 cents this week.
Dynamic tolls can cause fees to peak during commute hours from 6am to 9pm to downtown Orlando on weekdays. Prices fluctuate during the day based on traffic volume and costs. It depends on how far you are, as you do now.
However, during the first week in general, the new system did not specifically push tolls.
Tolls remained at 50 cents per section from 2628 Orlando to exit at Kirkman Road, around 8:30 am on Thursday.
Some drivers using the I-4 Express Lane regularly state that if their fees reach $3, they may reconsider their use.
Kirk Hartage works at the Costco office near Universal Orlando, where he films Express Lane from his daily home in downtown Orlando. He said his morning commute to the office is about 20 minutes and that using Express Lane gives you plenty of time to pick up coffee, but it always takes time to get home.
“When I look at the eastbound lane in the morning, they’re always stuffed,” Hartage said. “It’s the same type of traffic that you often see when you get home in the evening.”
He said the price of the section he drives hasn’t changed – it’s still a 50-cent segment.
“It would be very surprising if the section you drive to get to work at that point will jump to $3, but if that’s the case, I’d certainly rethink the path I’d use to get to work,” Hartlage said. “I think when I get home I could reach $3. I’ll rethink it again.”
Danna Roman Tejada is a student at the School of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University and frequently visits Central Florida using I-4 Express lanes. She said in an email that dynamic cooking is a “concern.”
She said she is worried about how tolls will affect locals and tourists.
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“With rates rising between rush hour from 6am to 9pm to 3pm, many working-class residents may find themselves paying heavily just to get from Point A to Point B,” Romantehada said. “And how will these changes affect Orlando tourism?
“Many visitors may be unaware of changes in rate prices and can really get caught up in surprise.”
Florida Department of Transport spokesman Cynthia Lane said in an email this week that there will be six toll segments heading west and seven eastbound segments. So, based on a segment of up to $3, drivers can pay $18-$21 for the entire distance in either direction if there is a high crowd in the lane.
“Tolls for each segment of I-4 Express increase or decrease at 15-minute intervals based on the traffic volume of that segment,” Lane said. “Using I-4 Express is always an option and drivers can choose from either a free, common lane or alternative route to reach their destination.”
Lane said the maximum is limited to a $3 segment (not just peaks at any time), but based on traffic data, she said tolls are not expected to rise significantly under dynamic rates.
