FAQs
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95 Express is an innovative alternative to traditional highway construction, offering a variety of travel options to increase trip time reliability. The project combines tolling, transit, travel-demand management, and technology to increase people-moving capabilities to meet current and future travel demands. Variable congestion-based tolling increases highway efficiency and encourages travel during off peak hours.
The Florida Department of Transportation is implementing 95 Express in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Planning Organizations of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, Miami-Dade and Broward County Transit, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, Greater Miami Expressway, and South Florida Commuter Services.
The HOV lanes no longer offer reliable travel; by converting to express lanes, the Florida Department of Transportation is able to considerably increase the people-moving capacity of I-95 by:
- Adding a new lane in each direction where feasible in most locations along the corridor.
- Implementing variable, congestion-based pricing and incentives for ride-sharing and traveling during off-peak hours.
- Establishing reliable 95 Express Bus operations.
95 Express provides choices for more consistent and dependable travel throughout the day, particularly during peak travel times. To help meet increasing demand, FDOT explored innovative congestion management strategies to deliver cost-effective improvements in a shorter amount of time than traditional widen-only construction projects. Additionally, the introduction of Express Bus service on I-95 has created a popular option for commuters to enjoy the efficiency of the express lanes through a low-cost alternative to driving.
95 Express lanes are separated from general use lanes by a barrier of flexible, plastic poles.
Express lanes have the same minimum and maximum speed limits as the general use lanes.
Click here to view a map of all entry and exit points along 95 Express.
95 Express is designed for longer trips. Entrances and exits are limited to improve traffic flow by reducing the number of vehicles changing lanes in and out of the facility. These locations were determined by studies of traffic conditions and volume at various entry/exit locations.
Trucks with two axles are allowed in the express lanes as toll-paying vehicles. Trucks with three or more axles and trailers are not allowed in the 95 Express lanes unless they are designated as emergency vehicles responding to specific incidents.
Broward County Transit: $2.65 for one ride, $26.50 for 10 rides, or $95 for a 31 day pass. You can pay for one ride with exact change on the coach or purchase passes online at https://www.broward.org/BCT/Pages/FaresPasses.aspx.
No; all Park-n-Ride lots in Broward County are free for 95 Express users.
Yes.
Yes, you can. Commuters who would like to try 95 Express Coach to see if it is right for them can request one (1) Week’s worth of free passes (5 all day passes) by filling out a short form at https://1800234ride.com/try-transit-free/ . The passes will be mailed to you at no cost within a few days.
Use the links below to complete the online form to register your carpool or hybrid:
*Please note: Hybrid owners who wish to register for 95 Express must have a valid State of Florida HOV decal. State-issued HOV decals are obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles or any tag agency.
3+ passenger carpools are defined as at least three commuters of legal driving age traveling to and from work in one vehicle. If a participant plans on using their personal vehicle in the carpool, they are required to provide their license number and tag information; if they are only a rider in the carpool, SFCS will only need their home/work information. If you receive a new license plate number, you must contact SFCS with the information to avoid being charged tolls. The new license plate number will be updated in your file and shared with SunPass. Commuters registering to participate in the 95 Express 3+ carpool program are only eligible to register a maximum of two vehicles per carpool participant.
For more information on which vehicles qualify as a hybrid and on how to obtain a HOV decal, please visit www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/hov.html.
Once you register with South Florida Commuter Services (SFCS)/SunPass, you will receive a “95 Express” decal to display in the front windshield of your vehicle. You will also receive a confirmation letter notifying you of your enrollment as a toll-free user. This letter should be kept in the glove box of your vehicle at all times. The decal and your enrollment letter are your proof of ability to use only the 95 Express Lanes in Southeast Florida for free. SunPass receives an updated list of registered vehicles, including license plate numbers, from SFCS every day.
Hybrid vehicle drivers are required to renew their 95 Express registration annually. 95 Express registrations will expire within 30 days of a participant’s state-issued HOV decal expiration. A registrant will be sent a 95 Express Hybrid renewal notice 30 days prior to their 95 Express Hybrid decal expiration date notifying them to renew their registration with SFCS. If a registrant does not renew their registration, the participant will be placedon “inactive status” and SunPass will be notified to remove their license plate from the eligible toll-free user list.
If you currently have a SunPass transponder and are using the 95 Express lanes as a hybrid or 3+ carpool user, a shield is provided to you which you will use to block your transponder. If you have a transponder with two suction cups, you will need to remove it from the windshield and place it in an RF shield bag that will be provided by SFCS. If you have a SunPass Mini tag, you will utilize the tag disabler shield that will be provided by SFCS. Participants are responsible for properly shielding their SunPass transponder when using the 95 Express Lanes as a toll free-user or they may be responsible for any toll charges incurred.
Any questions or concerns regarding toll charges for active registrations must be addressed within 60 days of the date of the toll charge. This includes toll charges related to Tesla vehicles or other electric vehicles that are unable to use standard procedures to shield their transponders. Please contact SFCS at 1-800-234-RIDE or email info@1800234RIDE.com should you receive any charges.
95 Express creates new choices for consistent and dependable travel throughout the day and, particularly during peak times. At times, Interstate 95 carries more 290,000 vehicles per day, with traffic volumes expected to exceed 360,000 vehicles per day by 2030. To meet help meet the increase in demand, FDOT explored innovative congestion management strategies to deliver a cost-effective improvements in a shorter amount of time, compared to traditional widen-only construction projects. Recent figures show that despite increased traffic volumes, 95 Express has helped increase travel speeds by 200 percent on the local lanes and by 300 percent on the express lanes in both directions. Transit usage also increased by 145 percent compared to before launch. The combinations of the options are reducing the number of cars on the road during peak travel times and are enhancing travel speeds for all drivers along I-95.
95 Express combines four proven traffic management techniques to reduce congestion and promote sustainability. The goal of the project is to increase the people-moving capacity of the existing highway by offering ride-sharing incentives to reduce the number of cars on the road, particularly during weekday rush hour periods. These options include an enhanced Bus Rapid Transit service, a ride-sharing program and travel demand management incentives. The project’s variable tolling component also reduces congestion by offering drivers the choice of paying a toll to use the express lanes for a more reliable trip. This increases capacity on the local lanes and reduces congestion. Lastly, 95 Express uses technology to monitor the highway and provides dedicated incident management resources to keep I-95 operating at free flow conditions.
On a monthly basis, an average of nearly 30,000 vehicles use the express lanes in both the northbound and southbound sections of the facility per weekday, while an average of nearly 18,000 vehicles use both sections per weekend day.
Toll violations will be enforced via Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) automatic violation enforcement system. All users without a valid transponder will have their license plates photographed. Motorists are subject to fines and penalties if they travel on 95 Express without a SunPass or are not a registered toll exempt user.
The license plates of registered toll-exempt users will be on file preventing fines and penalties from being assessed to those who comply with requirements. Registered carpoolers who do not comply with registration/occupancy requirements can have their toll-exempt privilege revoked if they do not properly mount their transponder and pay the toll. The SunPass User Manual may be viewed at https://www.sunpass.com/en/common/docs/SunPass_User_Manual_v5.pdf
FHP monitors the occupancy requirement (3+ carpools) on 95 Express. Registered carpool vehicles are identified by a decal and troopers at the roadside look for the minimum number of occupants. Drivers failing to meet the occupancy requirement will receive a citation.
Traffic signals are being implemented throughout the limits of 95 Express in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Ramp signals improve traffic flow by controlling the rate at which vehicles enter the highway. The signals alternate from red to green lights to ensure vehicles enter I-95 in a spaced and steady manner. They are located on northbound entrance points from NW 62 Street to NW Ives Dairy Road Street and on southbound entrance points from Ives Dairy Road to NW 62 Street. Ramp signals operate based on real-time traffic conditions, and depending on the marked signs on each ramp, allow one or two vehicles to merge onto the highway per every green light.
Traffic managers at the SunGuide Transportation Management Center (TMC) activate ramp signals during typical times of heavy highway use, such as weekday rush-hour periods. However, they may also activate the signals in the case of a traffic incident or special event that may impact regular highway operations. Advanced warning signs flash to alert motorists when these signals are turned on.
An aggressive program has been implemented that includes cameras, traffic detectors, incident response, and other measures to reduce the effects of crashes and breakdowns on traffic flow. The presence of Road Rangers and dedicated Florida Highway Patrol units has been increased on I-95. Dedicated 95 Express staffing at the SunGuide Transportation Management Center has also been increased to monitor traffic activity and facilitate quick response to incidents.
Remain in your vehicle and call *FHP (*347). Wait for assistance. If you do not have a mobile phone, remain in your vehicle until help arrives. Roadside cameras are monitored 24-hours a day and the SunGuide Traffic Management Center can dispatch help. Road Rangers and Florida Highway Patrol presence has been increased so it is likely that they will respond even before being called by the Traffic Management Center.
No. 95 Express tolls vary based on the level of congestion in the express lanes at the time you enter. Rates are based on the traffic conditions in the express lanes only.
Roadway monitors provide continuous information about how many vehicles are in the express lanes, how fast they are traveling, and how close together they are. This information is used to determine whether tolls will increase or decrease to maintain the best conditions possible. As the express lanes become more congested, toll amounts increase. As the congestion goes down, toll amounts decrease.
Toll amounts are posted on overhead electronic signs that drivers see before they enter the express lanes. Users should refer to their destination to determine toll amount. Please see: https://95express.com/guidelines-for-using-express-lanes/
Drivers who qualify under any of the categories below may use the lanes toll-free.
- Registered South Florida Vanpools
- Registered carpools of 3 or more (during their verified commute)
- Registered hybrid vehicles
- Registered Miami-Dade County buses
- Registered Broward County buses
- Registered public school buses
- Registered over-the-road buses
- Motorcycles (do not have to register)
- Emergency vehicles (do not have to register)
When traveling in a registered 3+ carpool, registered South Florida Vanpool or in a registered hybrid vehicle, drivers must shield their SunPass transponder to avoid being tolled. Registered toll-exempt users are not required to have a SunPass account*, but if you do, here are the steps to take:
SunPass portable transponders should be placed in a shield bag. SunPass Mini transponders should be shielded with a disabler. Both are available at no cost from South Florida Commuter Services at 1-800-234-RIDE.
Be aware that registered carpoolers only qualify for toll exemption during their verified commute. When traveling alone or at any other time, users are responsible for toll payment and must have their SunPass properly mounted.
For more information, please visit the SunPass User Manual.
*Registered hybrid vehicle users who have a Tesla must have a SunPass account and transponder.
If you are not a registered toll-exempt user or valid SunPass account holder and enter the 95 Express lanes you are obligated to pay the toll plus $25 per 24 hour period in which you violate.
The SunPass Portable and SunPass Mini are available at Publix, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Amscot, AAA, Sedano’s, and Navarro. They can also be purchased at Turnpike service plazas and Turnpike gas stations. For a full list of retailers please visit www.sunpass.com/sunPassRetailers or call SunPass Customer Service at 1-888-TOLL-FLA (1-888-865-5352).
Tolling of interstate facilities is specifically authorized under a program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. This legislation permits the construction of high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in specific cases. 95 Express in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties is an authorized toll facility.
I-95 was constructed with federal and state tax funds. However, Federal and State funds have been unable to keep up with the ongoing costs of operating the State’s highways. Maintenance and repair of the State’s highways involve major, continuous costs. Operations, including the Transportation Management Center, Road Ranger Service, and Florida Highway Patrol, are additional recurring costs.
The tolls also offer a means of relieving traffic congestion without building new roads or acquiring additional right-of-way. The tolls are the cost of increased mobility in the I-95 corridor without the adverse construction impacts.
More importantly, 95 Express represents an innovative approach to reducing traffic congestion in south Florida. Congestion pricing encourages ride-sharing, use of fuel-efficient vehicles and transit services, and travel during off-peak hours. These are all things that more traditional facilities do not provide.
The following transponders are compatible with SunPass:
Florida:
- OOCEA E-Pass
- Lee County LeeWay
Out of State:
- North Carolina Quick Pass
- Georgia Peach Pass
No. 95 Express tolls vary based on the level of congestion as you enter the express lanes. Toll amounts on the 95 Express are based on the traffic conditions of the express lanes only and not on the conditions of the local lanes. Roadway monitors placed on the project limits of the highway provide continuous information about how many vehicles are in the express lanes, how fast they are going, and how close together they are. This information is used to determine whether tolls go up or down to provide the best conditions possible. As the express lanes become more congested, toll amounts increase. As the congestion goes down, toll amounts decrease. This is called “Variable Tolling.”
Call 511 or log onto www.fl511.com to learn about real-time traffic conditions and determine if the 95 Express is the best option for making your trip before leaving for your destination.
The toll amount is displayed on the overhead electronic signs before each of the 95 Express entrances so drivers have time to decide to use the express lanes or stay in the local lanes.
Shield your transponder on 95 Express. If you travel through adjacent toll plazas, place the transponder in the shield bag prior to beginning your trip. When you are traveling on the toll roads not including 95 Express, please remember to use your transponder as you normally do.
Drivers will be tolled per segment traveled. A segment is defined as the driver’s point of entry into the express lane to the first opportunity to exit the express lane. There will be one gantry within the segment. Tolls will be posted to the customer account by gantry location for ease of understanding the tolls charged.
- Tolls are posted for the destinations shown on the overhead signs.
- All tolls are “locked in” from your point of entry. The top toll shows the price for the nearest exit; the bottom toll shows the total price for traveling to the farthest exit.*
- *If you enter the southbound Express Lanes in Broward County, the top toll shows the price for the Florida’s Turnpike/SR 826 exit, which is the second Express Lanes exit; the bottom toll shows the price for the SR 112/SR 836/I-395 exit (Downtown Miami Area).
- Southbound Express Lanes:
- If you enter in Broward County and exit at Ives Dairy Road, you will pay $0.50 LESS than the toll amount posted for the Florida’s Turnpike/SR 826 exit.
- If you enter in Miami-Dade County, you will pay the exact toll amounts posted on the overhead signs.
- Northbound Express Lanes:
- If you enter near Downtown Miami/SR 112/SR 836/I-395 and exit at Ives Dairy Road, you will pay $0.50 MORE than the toll amount posted for the Florida’s Turnpike/SR 826 exit.
- If you enter at any additional entry points, you will pay the exact toll amounts posted on the overhead signs.
Roadside equipment monitors traffic in the Express Lanes and toll prices periodically adjust to maintain free-flowing travel. Express Lanes use variable tolling to manage the flow of traffic to get you to your destination safely and on time. As traffic in the Express Lanes increases, the toll price goes up to manage demand. As traffic in the Express Lanes decreases, toll prices go down.
You will see destination and toll amount signs in advance of Express Lane entry points to let you know the current toll amount to travel to the destinations displayed. When you pass under a toll amount sign, the toll rate is locked in for the destinations shown.
If the rates go up, you will pay no more than what was shown on the sign. If the rates go down, you will be charged the lower rate.
The toll amount is displayed on the overhead electronic signs before each of the 95 Express entrances so drivers have time to decide to use the express lanes or stay in the local lanes. Please visit SunPass.com to view your current activity and toll charges in the Express Lanes.
You may view your current SunPass activity or previous monthly statements by accessing your online account at www.sunpass.com with your username, SunPass account, or transponder number and PIN
Receipt of an Unpaid Toll Document may mean one or more of the following: there is inaccurate license plate information on your SunPass account; there are no funds in your SunPass account; or the transponder is mounted incorrectly or not mounted, which results in your transponder functioning intermittently and causing toll documents. For additional information to resolve Unpaid Toll Documents please click here.
If you missed a toll and are not a SunPass Account Holder, please click here for additional information.
95 Express is open for use by most all drivers who chose to enter the lanes. However, there are few vehicle-types prohibited from using the lanes and others that qualify to ride for free after only registering with South Florida Commuter Services. Please see list below.
Toll-Exempt Drivers
Drivers who qualify under any of the categories below may use the lanes for free. Registered vehicles must place their South Florida Commuter Services-issued decal on their windshield. All exempt drivers must shield their SunPass transponders to avoid being charged for using the lanes.
- Registered South Florida Vanpools
- Registered carpools of 3 or more
- Registered hybrid vehicles
- Registered Miami-Dade County buses
- Registered Broward County buses
- Registered regular transit buses
- Registered public School buses
- Registered over-the-road buses
- Motorcycles (do not have to register)
- Emergency vehicles (do not have to register)
Toll-paying Drivers
Drivers who choose to use the lanes, but do not qualify for toll exemption trips, must own a SunPass transponder and have it in their vehicle at the time of use. Toll amounts are clearly displayed on the overhead signs before each entrance point and are collected electronically. A SunPass transponder may be purchased at Publix, CVS Pharmacies or Turnpike service plazas. Click here to purchase a SunPass transponder.
The list of qualified hybrid vehicles can be found at your Florida Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and your local tag agency. Go to https://www.flhsmv.gov
Toll exempt vehicles, with the exception of motorcycles, will have a visible decal displayed on the windshield. The decal is provided by South Florida Commuter Services upon valid registration.
95 Express benefits all drivers, regardless of their income or socio-economic level. The goal of the project is to increase the people-moving capacity of the highway to promote trip reliability and safety. The project offers drivers several options for commuting through the highway. These options include the express lanes, bus rapid transit service and ride sharing. The combination of these options is working to reduce the number of cars on the highway, and thus is reducing congestion levels on the local lanes.
Recent figures reported a 200% increase in travel speeds on the local lanes which mean that drivers who do not choose to use the express lanes are still receiving a significant benefit. Additionally, as part of the project, FDOT enhanced the incident management and traffic monitoring resources to help keep all lanes free and clear of road blocking events and maintain safety levels.