Assembly Committee Approves Cervantes Bill to Make Riverside County Carpool Lanes Flexible

(SACRAMENTO) – This week, the Assembly Transportation Committee approved Assembly Bill 91 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) by a bipartisan vote of 11-2. AB 91 would help ease late-night traffic jams in Riverside County by allowing single occupancy cars 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 an important tool to reduce traffic and making our air cleaner. But enforcing them after rush hour, which often leaves carpool lanes empty during late-night traffic, is inefficient.”

AB 91 would alter carpool lanes in Riverside County to use “part time operation,” which would limit carpool lane access only during peak traffic hours on weekdays. This is commonly used in Northern California. In Southern California, carpool lanes are “full-time operation” and are enforced twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. 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 heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. For more information on the bill, please click here.

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