Cervantes Introduces Bill to Make Riverside County Carpool Lanes More Flexible

(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) introduced her first bill today at the State Capitol. The bill, Assembly Bill 91, would help ease late-night traffic jams in Riverside County by allowing single-occupancy vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, commonly known as “carpool lanes,” during non-peak traffic hours.

“Nothing affects the quality of life of the residents of the Inland Empire more than freeway traffic,” Assemblymember Cervantes said. “Carpool lanes are important tools to reduce traffic and make our air cleaner. But enforcing them after rush hour, which often leaves carpool lanes empty during late-night traffic, is inefficient.”

In Southern California, carpool lanes are commonly “full-time operation,” meaning they are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. AB 91 would convert carpool lanes in Riverside County to “part-time operation,” which is common in Northern California. “Part-time operation” limits carpool lane access to high-occupancy vehicles only during peak traffic hours on weekdays. At all other times, single-occupancy vehicles would also be allowed to use carpool lanes. AB 91 would make an exception for paid toll lanes, such as the 91 Freeway Express Lanes.

“We must do whatever we can to reduce traffic in Riverside County,” Assemblymember Cervantes said. “AB 91 is a necessary measure to fulfill the intended purpose of carpool lanes, while making their operation more flexible to prevent late-night traffic jams.”

AB 91 will next be referred to an Assembly policy committee by the Assembly Rules Committee.

# # #

Sabrina Cervantes represents the 60th District in the California State Assembly, which encompasses the communities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, and a portion of the City of Riverside.