Drivers aren’t waiting to the last minute to prepare for the opening of Interstate 405 express toll lanes this fall. Since the new Good To Go! Flex Pass launch in March, the Washington State Department of Transportation distributed over 10,000 new Flex Passes. Carpools will need a Flex Pass to travel free on the I-405 express toll lanes.

Over the past month WSDOT gave carpoolers 3,700 free Flex Passes with the help of RideshareOnline.com and partnering networks. WSDOT has distributed 5,200 free Flex Passes through a replacement program for Good To Go! switchable passes. Customers have purchased an additional 2,000 Flex Passes.

“We’ve had a good early response and encourage drivers to act now to avoid a big rush this fall prior to the opening of I-405 express toll lanes,” said WSDOT Assistant Secretary, Toll Division, Craig Stone “Drivers will need to decide which Good To Go! pass is best for them. If you ever plan on carpooling you’ll need a Flex Pass to travel free, but if you’re always driving alone your existing Good To Go! pass will work to pay tolls on I-405.”

WSDOT has heard from motorcycle drivers and as a result, made adjustments to the incentive program. Free motorcycle passes will be available to motorcycle drivers who use I-405 while supplies last. These drivers will still need to activate the free motorcycle pass on a Good To Go! account to travel free on I-405. To get their free pass, motorcyclists who live, work, or play in King and Snohomish counties will need to take a survey to determine if they are eligible.
“We’ve heard from motorcyclists and we’re listening to their concerns. Just like carpools, we’re offering motorcyclists a free pass to help ease the transition to express toll lanes,” said Stone.

WSDOT will continue its partnership with RideshareOnline.com to offer free Flex Passes to frequent I-405 carpoolers. Drivers can also use the Ridematch tool at RideshareOnline.com to look for an extra person to carpool with on I-405. Once receiving the Flex Pass, customers must activate their free Flex Pass by adding to a Good To Go! account.

Drivers who don’t qualify for a free Flex Pass as an I-405 carpooler or through the switchable pass replacement program, can purchase one for a one-time cost of $15 at GoodToGo.com, by calling 1-866-936-8246 or visiting customer service centers in Seattle, Bellevue and Gig Harbor. Customers should remove any existing passes from their vehicle windshield before installing a new Good To Go! pass.

I-405 express toll lanes overview
WSDOT is building a new lane adjacent to the carpool lane between Northeast Sixth Street in Bellevue and State Route 522 in Bothell to create a dual, express-toll-lane system, while converting the existing carpool lane between Bothell and Lynnwood into a single, express toll lane. When the project is complete in 2015, drivers will have the option to pay a toll for a faster, more reliable trip using a 17-mile system of express toll lanes from Bellevue to Lynnwood. Tolls can be paid with any existing Good To Go! pass or by mail at a higher rate. Carpools meeting occupancy requirements, transit, vanpools and motorcycles will be able to use the lanes toll-free.