Caltrans rolls out new carpool hours for Hwy 101 in Marin, Sonoma Co. after public backlash

In the North Bay, new carpool hours are coming to Highway 101 in Marin and Sonoma Counties after an uproar from thousands of commuters who complained the current carpool hours were too long and caused big traffic delays. Caltrans says it listened and made changes.

“I do feel like we got their attention. Maybe admitting these longer hours were not working is a big deal,” said Katie Clayton from Rohnert Park.

Clayton is feeling a bit victorious after taking her commute complaints to Caltrans, which changed carpool hours last September. It added hours onto Clayton’s commute to Novato, where she works as a hairstylist.

“I’m glad they saw our cries. A lot of signatures, people in the salon talking about the hours, ‘What is this?'” Clayton said.

Clayton launched a Change.org petition last summer, which now has almost 9,000 signatures from commuters demanding that carpool hours be changed between Windsor and Sausalito.

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“If you commute to the city like I do, it’s been a nightmare. Traffic builds significantly in Novato,” said commuter Rich Carter.

Caltrans’ Matt O’Donnell said the agency heard complaints, launched a traffic study, and decided to make a change. It’s reducing current carpool hours Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. The afternoon drive will move from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. to 3p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“We listened to where people had the most issues. It turned out that morning commute was the biggest issue, in general the biggest impact between Novato and San Rafael,” said Caltrans Spokesperson Matt O’Donnell.

Marin County Supervisor Eric Lucan helped secure the carpool changes through partnerships with state representatives and local transportation authorities.

In a statement, Lucan said, “We heard clearly from constituents frustrated by longer commutes, and I appreciate Caltrans’ willingness to listen and adjust the hours to better match peak travel times while continuing to support carpooling and transit.”

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“I do give Caltrans credit for being flexible and changing mind. It was not an easy decision,” Clayton said.

Clayton hopes her efforts to bring change will make her life and the lives of thousands of other North Bay commuters a little easier in the future.

“I’m happy to take on the role and speak for the people,” Clayton said.

Caltrans said new reduced carpool hours will take effect in late February.