That is not exactly correct re the car pool lanes.
You can only pay your way into a carpool lane which is determined to be underutilized. So no buying your way into the carpool lanes in the central SF Bay Area, for example.
When you buy your way into an underutilized carpool lane it is not at the expense of anyone else, i.e., no one has a longer journey because you are in the underutilized lane.
In contrast, when you use clear, when you go to the head of the line you are causing others to wait longer.
Originally Posted by
rwmiller56
The biometrics serve as your ID. You don't have to show a passport or DL when going through Clear.
As far as the public policy rationale. Here in CA, some people pay money to drive solo in the carpool lane (toll lane), and they are paying a government agency to do it. Saving time, just as in Clear.