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TCA ADOPTS NEW TRANSPONDERS WITH REPLACEABLE BATTERIES
Replaceable battery FasTrak transponders will save money and reduce waste
IRVINE, Calif. (July 15, 2008) – The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) announced the Agencies will begin issuing FasTrak transponders with replaceable batteries instead a model with non-replaceable batteries. The transponders currently in use need to be discarded when the battery wears out after about five years of use. TCA proactively mails new transponder units to customers before their batteries expire and customers send back their old transponders.
“By progressively phasing the old transponders out of circulation and introducing the new transponders, the agency can reduce future costs and waste without inconveniencing customers,” said Chief Toll Operations Officer James Gallagher.
About 750,000 transponders are assigned to 400,000 TCA FasTrak accounts. Each month, about 17,000 new transponders are issued and 6,500 are returned for disposal. The new transponders will save the Agencies about $4 million annually beginning in 2013. The savings are realized since a replacement battery costs $1, compared to almost $18 for a new transponder unit. After making the change, the Agencies will mail customers a new battery when their battery is close to the end of its life. The new transponders will be issued beginning in November and by 2013 all non-replaceable battery transponders will be out of circulation.
ABOUT TCA
More than 300,000 trips are taken on The Toll Roads on weekdays. The Toll
Roads are operated by the Transportation Corridor Agencies, two joint powers
authorities formed by the California state legislature 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 15-mile San Joaquin Hills (SR-73) Toll Road from
Newport Beach to San Juan Capistrano; and the 36-mile Foothill/Eastern Toll Road
system (SR-241, SR- 261, SR-133) from the 91 Freeway to south Orange County. More
information: www.thetollroads.com
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