The Washington Times does not like HOT Lanes. EDITORIAL: Georgia’s tolling nightmare
The Georgia example seems to be HOV conversion, not ‘take-away’, however the HOV rule changed from 2 passengers to 3 passengers, which is effectively reducing throughput in that lane (and increasing demand for the other lanes), so long as the toll-payers don’t make up the for the lost carpoolers. Hence the controversy. HOT lanes do not magically create capacity.