A new stretch of express lanes along Highway 237 in the South Bay opened to motorists Friday morning.
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority said commuters can expect to save up to 20 minutes in each direction with the lanes now in use.
Express lanes in the area now stretch roughly seven miles from the Dixon Landing Road exit from Interstate 880 all the way across Highway 237 to Highway 101.
Anyone using the express lanes between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. will have to pay a toll. Toll prices will range from 30 cents to $8 depending on how much congestion there is.
People who want to use the express lanes, including carpoolers and motorcyclists, must have a FasTrak transponder. Those driving clean air vehicles will also need a transponder, though they will only have to pay half price.
Drivers wanting to use the express lane will need to install a Fastrak tag in their car. Carpoolers can indicate the number of people in a vehicle, but VTA said cameras will catch cheaters.
Lanes will not be free for electric car owners but they will get a discount on the tolls.
