The government agency that oversees the Express Lanes along the Interstate 880 corridor in Alameda County have launched a pilot program intended to help travelers from lower-income households take advantage of lanes.

Union City households with an income is no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, about $60,000 for a family of four, are eligible to participate in the Express Lanes START program and qualify for reduced toll charges in the I-880 Express Lanes.

Toll discounts are based on the number of people in the car. Solo drivers enrolled in the Express Lanes START program will receive a 50 percent discount off the posted toll and two-person carpools will receive a 75 percent discount. All Express Lane customers in carpools with three or more people travel toll free.