GoCarma App Provides Simpler Way For Dallas HOV Operators To Qualify For Discount

From the City of Fort Worth:

January 24, 2020

Drivers who travel on Dallas-Fort Worth TEXpress lanes will soon have a simple, new way to qualify for high-occupancy vehicle toll discounts.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area’s TEXpress lane system was established to enable users of some of the region’s most highly-traveled roadways to reach their destinations more reliably. On these roadways, drivers can either choose to pay a variable toll for the ability to travel at least 50 mph on the TEXpress Lanes, or they can use the general-purpose lanes for no additional charge.

The Regional Transportation Council established policies that provide a toll discount for HOV vehicles on TEXpress lanes during weekday peak periods (6:30-9 a.m. and 3-6:30 p.m.) and 24/7 on I-635 from I-30 to U.S. 75. The discount is currently implemented through an app-based pre-declaration method, Drive On TEXpress, and enforced by police officers in the field.

Beginning Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m., the GoCarma smartphone app will replace Drive On TEXpress, ensuring road users will no longer need to activate their HOV status before each trip.

GoCarma uses Bluetooth technology to automatically verify travelers in a carpool. As long as at least two people in the vehicle install the GoCarma app or have an occupant pass, they will not need to interact with the app after setup.

Drive On TEXpress users can preregister with the new app. The GoCarma app is available free in the App Store and on Google Play.

This press release was produced by the City of Fort Worth. The views expressed here are the author’s own.