Golden Gate Bridge to defer toll increase to Sept 2

The Golden Gate Bridge is deferring their toll increases scheduled for Sept 1 to Sept 2. Staff realized belatedly that Sept 1 is Labor Day and a bad day to introduce new toll rates. That's because on holidays they get a lot of occasional users and the most cash payers.

The cash toll for cars is increasing from $5 to $6. The new toll is more work for toll collectors because more motorists will hand over bill denominations needing change. Starting the new toll rates on a normal work day when most of the patrons pay by transponder should help ease in the new toll rates.

The GGB toll by transponder is rising from $4 to $5 for cars.  The per axle tolls for trucks and trailers is half the car toll rate.

Aunt Mable with the gammy leg

The GGB is introducing a 50% toll rate for Persons with Disabilities - vehicles driven by disabled persons. The board is clarifying this as applying only to two-axle vehicles, so Joe's Trucking of Petaluma won't benefit by putting old Aunt Mable with the gammy leg behind the wheel of the 18 wheeler for the ride over the GGB.

That's San Francisco.

TOLLROADSnews 2008-08-12