Which Way, L.A.?
Move to Kick Hybrids out of Carpool Lanes Backfires
Since July, carpool access has been denied for 85,000 hybrids with no passengers. But the consequences might leave you scratching your head. Having fewer hybrids does not make...
By Warren Olney • • 53m ListenSince July, carpool access has been denied for 85,000 hybrid cars with no passengers. Those yellow stickers don't work any more. But the consequences might leave you scratching your head. Having fewer hybrids does not make the emptier car pool lanes move any faster. It slows them down! Of course, the more congested regular lanes move slower too. We hear why it's worse for everybody. Also, Blue Shield will refund $167 million in excess profits. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, big banks: are there alternatives?
Banner image: A Toyota Prius with a California 'clean air vehicle' sticker drives in the carpool lane on highway 101 on May 6, 2011 in San Rafael, California. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
In this episode
4 storiesBlue Shield Gives Back Another $285M in Profits
Health insurance companies are infamous for increasing rates, not for refunds. But Blue Shield of California is about to return $167 million in excess profits to some two million policyholders in California, with another $283 million to be refunded in December.
Read the story7 minThe Paradox of Hybrids and Traffic in Carpool Lanes
When hybrids were first available, California handed out yellow bumper stickers to encourage sales of cleaner, high-mileage cars. Lone drivers with no passengers got access to carpool lanes, and solo drivers in regular lanes learned to hate the Prius. The program worked, and, with more and more hybrids, the carpool lanes began slowing down.
Read the story13 minLuis Rodriguez Writes a New Memoir
Luis Rodriguez is recognized as a leading Chicano writer, best known for Always Running , his memoir of gang life in East LA. Published in 1993 it's now used in high school classes in some places, while it's censored in others. He's written 13 books of poetry, non-fiction and fiction.
Read the story7 minDitching Big Bad Banks: Are There Alternatives?
Big banks bailed out because they were "too big to fail" are now jacking up fees on small businesses and individual consumers. Bank of America plans to impose a $5 monthly fee on depositors who use debit cards. Citibank says it’ll raise fees on accounts with less than $15,000.
Read the story27 min
