Use and performance

E-ZPass Express Lanes are Minnesota’s system of priced managed lanes, also known as High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. E-ZPass Minnesota provides a more reliable, less congested travel option during peak rush-hour periods by providing a dedicated lane that is free for HOV and requires a fee for single occupant vehicles. Outside of peak travel, the E-ZPass lane is free and open to all motorists—which is nearly 90% of the time. The goal is to improve the efficiency of a highway during busy commutes, not to generate revenue. Express Lanes have been in operation in Minnesota since 2005.

Benefits:

  • Moves more people along busy highways
  • Provides faster, more reliable travel times
  • Improves transit service
  • Increases transit ridership and carpooling
  • Connects to other E-ZPass routes in the U.S.

During peak weekday hours, E-ZPass Minnesota is free for buses, motorcycles, and vehicles with two or more people including children and infants (HOV 2+). Solo motorists choose to use the lanes for a fee that varies between .25¢ and $8.00 depending on number of vehicles and speeds in the lane. The average fee in 2022 was $0.85. The lanes are free and can be used by all motorists before and after peak travel times.

E-ZPass use

E-ZPass moves more people. A single E-ZPass lane moves twice as many people as a regular lane during peak commuting times—in fact, 80% of the people using E-ZPass are riding on buses or carpooling.

Single occupant vehicles are 22% of the total vehicles in the lane but are only 12% of the people using the lanes.

The following charts show the percentages of vehicles and people moved on the E-ZPass system from 6-10 a.m. and 3-7 p.m.

Vehicles moved

Vehicles moved in E-ZPass lanes from 6am-10am and 3pm-6pm
Car/vanpool 62%
Tolled 21%
Violators 16%
Transit buses 1%

People moved

Vehicles moved in E-ZPass lanes from 6am-10am and 3pm-6pm
Car/vanpools 74%
Transit buses 5%
Tolled 12%
Violators 9%

E-ZPass performance

E-ZPass lanes provide a more reliable travel choice for all commuters. Federal laws require vehicles in the E-ZPass Express Lanes travel at speeds above 45 mph for 90% of the time or greater during peak travel times. Currently, vehicles in the E-ZPass lanes are traveling at speeds above 45 mph approximately 98% of the time.

E-ZPass lanes provide motorists a more predictable commute. During peak hours, one E-ZPass lane can carry two-three times more people than a general lane! General lanes are also prone to congestion which results in unreliable travel times.

E-ZPass Express Lanes allow transit, particularly express buses, to travel faster and safer during peak travel times which provides reliable trips and increases the number of people who ride on public transportation.

Travel time reliability

E-ZPass travel time reliability for northbound I-35W in during morning commute

During busy morning and afternoon commutes, travel time in the general lanes is much less reliable than the E-ZPass lane. Commute times in the general lane can vary greatly by hour, day, day of the week, and seasonally, whereas the E-ZPass lane provides a relatively consistent and predictable trip.

Revenue and expenditures

By state statute (MS 160.93), toll revenue generated through E-ZPass must be used in the corridor from which it was generated and specifically for the construction, operations, and maintenance of the E-ZPass lane. The specific revenue use requirements for each corridor are:

I-394, I-35E, I-35W north metro and future corridors

Revenue must first repay the capital costs to construct E-ZPass lanes in the corridor; next to pay for E-ZPass operations and maintenance expenses; and finally divide any remaining revenue equally between MnDOT and the Metropolitan Council for highway and transit improvements in the corridor.

I-35W

Revenue must be used each year as follows:

  • $1 million or 75 percent of the revenue (the lesser of the amounts) to pay for E-ZPass operations and maintenance expenses in the corridor.
    • Next, transfer the remaining amount up to the amount above to the Metropolitan Council for bus transit improvements in the corridor including transit capital expenses.
      • Divide all remaining revenue as follows:
      • 25 percent to MnDOT for E-ZPass operating costs and for highway improvements in the corridor
      • 75 percent to Metropolitan Council for bus transit improvements in the corridor including transit capital expenses