HOUSTON – Commuters traveling on the Eastex Freeway may have noticed higher costs and new restrictions in the managed lane.
METRO, which oversees the lane, recently implemented changes that ban single-occupancy vehicles during critical evening hours and increase toll prices at other times.
With the start of the new school year, the evening commute has become even more challenging. Traffic often slows to a crawl during rush hour on 59 northbound out of downtown, and drivers pay a premium to use the managed lanes. Tolls have steadily increased, adding to commuter frustration.
Karl Leonard and his wife are among those feeling the pinch. Leonard explained that his wife’s daily commute to Bel Air covers about 75 miles round-trip from New Caney.
Now, her tolls on the METRO-managed lane along U.S. 59 have doubled to $4.50 one way.
“The maximum toll rate on PM side has been $4.50 since 2013; however, after July 7, 2025, we changed the toll rate between 4-4:30 from $2.25 to $4.50. Also, 6-7 PM is now $4.50,” Metro’s Director of Communications, Anna Carpenter, said.
“But suddenly, man, you’re whacking me for 2-25, you’re doubling your fee, and what do I get out of it?” Leonard added.
Metro says the changes are necessary to reduce congestion in the U.S. 59 high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane. Single-occupancy vehicles are now banned from the express lane between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.
These measures aim to trim traffic by limiting eligibility and raising prices. However, from the perspective of many commuters, the changes represent yet another rising cost.
“You don’t think they’ve got the solution down with this?” reporter, Joel Eisenbaum, asked. “No, no,” Leonard said.
