Caltrans seeks more volunteers before July launch of Road Charge Pilot

California State Route 52California State Route 52

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is seeking more volunteers for its Road Charge Pilot program, even though it already reached is goal of 5,000. The agency would like more rural drivers to sign-up to help “accurately depict” the affect of the pilot on the entire state.

“It is important that the pilot represents a diversity of perspectives so the (California) legislature has the complete picture it needs in order to decide if it wants to proceed with enacting a full-scale road charge program,” says Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.

The legislature required the state in 2014 to start the pilot program to “determine whether a road charge could be an equitable and sustainable way to replace the deteriorating gas tax and better fund transportation infrastructure.” The agency says the current gas tax funds roughly $2.3 billion in projects, but another $5.7 billion is needed for repairs each year.

Volunteers are not charged, and will have several mileage reporting options over the nine-month program, including:

  • Time permit: A permit that allows unlimited road use in California for a specific period of time, such as a year, month or week.
  • Mileage permit: A block of miles based on your expected use of California’s roads.
  • Odometer charge: An option where payment is remitted after periodic manual odometer readings.
  • Automated mileage reporting: Choice of in-vehicle technology, with or without general location data, that reports mileage traveled to a third party account manager which invoices the participant.

More information on the California Road Charge Pilot program is available at www.californiaroadchargepilot.com.