The Point: Watch for new “sticker” transponders coming by mail; toll system updates continuing
Customers of the 91 Express Lanes should watch their mailboxes late this summer and fall – new sticker transponders will be on the way.
The state of California has changed the transponder technology that has been in place since the early 1990s. Toll facilities across the state are in the process of updating their toll systems and issuing new transponders to customers.
The 91 Express Lanes has been working since last fall to install the new technology in the lanes to prepare for this conversion and anticipates the toll system will be updated by the end of summer. During the installation, customers will continue to be notified of any lane closures. Shortly after the technology upgrades are completed, customers will begin receiving their new transponders by U.S. mail.
The new sticker transponders will replace the battery-operated, hard-case transponders currently in use. The stickers are smaller and less expensive to produce than the hard-case transponders.
Please note the following:
- 91 Express Lanes accountholders will receive a new small sticker transponder for each vehicle on their account. Customers will receive information prior to the mailing of the transponders to remind them to verify and update the vehicles they have listed on their account.
- Customers will receive information prior to the mailing of the transponders to remind them to verify and update the vehicles they have listed on their account.
- During the transition to the new transponders, both the new and old transponders will be accepted.
- Users of express lanes that require a switchable transponder (Metro Express Lanes, Bay Area Express Lanes, soon to include the San Diego 15 Express Lanes), should continue to use their existing switchable transponder or request a switchable transponder.
- Customers with switchable transponders should mount both the new sticker and the switchable transponder on the interior windshield; instruction will be provided with the sticker. The toll systems will always use the transponder that provides the greater discount when charging a toll.
- The 91 Express Lanes will accept the old switchable and non-switchable transponders, and the new sticker transponders. A switchable transponder is not required on the 91 Express Lanes.
For questions about the new transponders or any other account information, please call the 91 Express Lanes Customer Service Center at 800-600-9191.