Press Releases - July 2006

TCA FASTRAK® EXPANDS TO MORE COSTCO STORES

IRVINE, Calif. (July 13, 2006) – Drivers throughout Southern California will soon be able to purchase TCA FasTrak accounts at 22 Costco warehouses in Orange, L.A., San Bernardino  Riverside, and San Diego counties. Today, the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ Boards of Directors, which oversee operations of the 73, 241, 261, and 133 Toll Roads, unanimously approved the continuation of a program that began in May to distribute toll-payment FasTrak accounts through Costco stores.

It is the first time FasTrak transponders have been sold in retail stores in California. A FasTrak account allows drivers to travel California’s tollways at highway speeds without stopping.

“If you look at a map of where TCA FasTrak transponders are distributed, you can see how many of our customers are from surrounding counties,” said Jim Thor, Chairman of the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency. “That clearly shows that The Toll Roads are regional highways that improve mobility for everyone and give all Southern California drivers a choice.”

“The pilot program exceeded our expectations in almost every target we set,” said David Armijo, TCA’s Chief Toll Operations Officer. “In fact, 84% of those who purchased a FasTrak account through Costco reported that they converted from cash-lane payers to FasTrak, exceeding our assumption that 50% would convert from cash.” FasTrak transactions cost less to process than cash-paid tolls.

Customers may purchase a TCA FasTrak account at participating Costco stores for $44.99 and automatically receive $5 in free tolls, for a total start-up value of $50 in tolls when the transponder is activated online. Customers can also receive an additional $5 in free tolls if the customer designates their American Express® Card for future toll replenishment. Tolls are automatically deducted from the pre-paid FasTrak account as drivers use any California tollway that accepts FasTrak.

In May, seven Costco warehouses in Orange and Riverside counties began selling TCA FasTrak transponders. The expanded program will now include the following stores:

*Original seven warehouses that participated in the pilot program

Before using the transponder, the customer must first activate their TCA FasTrak account online through a special website. The customer must enter the transponder ID number, a special activation code, a credit card number or electronic check information that will be used to replenish the pre-paid toll balance, and vehicle and license plate information for the account. Extra Velcro® strips, used to attach the transponder to the windshield, are included in each transponder package to allow the transponder to be moved from car to car.

ABOUT TCA FASTRAK

FasTrak is a pre-paid electronic toll-collection system that allows drivers to pay tolls automatically while driving at highway speeds through designated FasTrak lanes. FasTrak is the statewide electronic toll collection standard, and can be used on tollways and bridges such as
the 91 Express Lanes between Orange and Riverside Counties, the I-15 Express Lanes in San
Diego, and Bay Area bridges.

FasTrak is a registered trademark of the San Joaquin Hills and Foothill/Eastern Transportation
Corridor Agencies (TCA), two government authorities that collectively operate the San Joaquin
Hills (State Route 73), Foothill (State Route 241), and Eastern (State Routes 261, and 133) Toll Roads in Orange County. Currently, there are more than 330,000 TCA FasTrak accounts and more than 600,000 TCA FasTrak transponders in circulation throughout California. Customers may signup for TCA FasTrak online at www.thetollroads.com or visit The Toll Roads’ Customer Service Centers in Irvine (125 Pacifica) or San Clemente (209 Avenida Del Mar).

ABOUT TCA/THE TOLL ROADS

The Toll Roads are operated by the Transportation Corridor Agencies, two joint powers authorities formed in 1986 to plan, finance, construct, and operate Orange County's 67-mile public toll road system. Fifty-one miles of the system are complete, including the San Joaquin Hills (73) Toll Road from Newport Beach to San Juan Capistrano; and the Foothill/Eastern Toll Roads (241, 261, and 133) from the 91 Freeway to south Orange County.
More: www.thetollroads.com

ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS

American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company founded in 1850. It is a world leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, business services and international banking.
More: www.americanexpress.com