The Point: New Gas Tax Revenue Will Provide Free Roadside Assistance
UPDATE: NEW FSP SERVICE BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2018
The Riverside County Transportation Commission is expanding its Freeway Service Patrol this September along Interstate 15 and Interstate 215 with new funding from the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, more commonly known as the “gas tax.”
Gas tax revenue totaling $1.6 million will allow the roadside assistance program to extend:
- 27 miles on I-15 from Indian Truck Trail to Temecula Parkway/79-South in Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Murrieta and Temecula
- 12 miles on I-215 from Ethanac Road to Murrieta Hot Springs Road in Menifee, Wildomar and Murrieta
The free program offers help to stranded motorists by changing flat tires, jump-starting dead batteries, cooling overheated engines, and performing other routine mechanical repairs to help get drivers safely back on their way. They also tow vehicles to preapproved locations – all free of charge.
Service will be provided during peak commute times: Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The program marked its 25th anniversary of FSP operations on June 28. The roving tow truck operators provide an average of 40,000 “assists” per year. The service expansion to southwestern Riverside County this September will boost coverage to 140 miles, including sections of roadways further north on I-15, I-215, State Routes 60 and 91, and the 91 Express Lanes.
For more information about the program, including a map of current and upcoming new service areas, as well as hours of operation, click here.
