$8 Toll Proposed For Golden Gate Bridge
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The staff of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District is recommending a gradual $2 toll increase on the bridge over the next four years.
Under the recommended toll increase option that the bridge district's board of directors will consider on Friday, the current $5 FasTrak toll will increase to $6 on April 7. The toll will then increase to $6.25 in July 2016, to $6.50 in July 2017 and to $7 in July 2018.
The current $6 Pay-By-Plate toll will increase to $7 on April 7, to $7.25 in July 2016, to $7.50 in July 2017 and to $8 in July 2018.
The current $3 tool for carpoolers and persons with disabilities will increase to $4 on April 7, to $4.25 in July 2016, to $4.50 in July 2017 and to $5 in July 2018.
The tolls for multi-axle vehicles will increase $1 to $2 per axle depending on the fiscal year.
In November, the board approved an analysis of phased-in toll increases under four options. Under each option, the Pay-By-Plate toll would increase to $8 by July 2018.
The FasTrak toll would increase to $7 by July 2018 under three options and to $6.50 under one option.
Bridge spokeswoman Mary Currie said the district is facing a $142 million shortfall over the next five years. The toll increase recommended by bridge staff is estimated to raise $123 million over five years.
The district's Finance-Auditing Committee will vote on the toll increase proposal Thursday morning. If approved, the full board of directors will vote on it Friday morning at the district's office at the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza.
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