golden gate bridge

Golden Gate Bridge board of directors voted today (Jan 28) to end cash toll collection at the iconic San Francisco bridge with conversion to all-electronic toll (AET) collection. The vote was 13 for AET, 2 against. Yesterday (Jan 27) the Finance Committee voted for AET by 8 to 3. The schedule presented by staff aims to go fully live with AET between September and December 2012.

The Golden Gate Bridge (GGB) authority is planning all-electronic tolling (AET) as a major budget balancing measure as well as a way of reducing exhaust emissions and motorist delay. A longterm financial plan shows AET as contributing a $16.3m in savings through FY2019/2020, by far the largest item in a list of "Increased efficiencies through technology." (Attachment p1 to FY2009/2010 Financial Plan for Achieving Longterm Financial Stability)

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 board of directors has approved a one dollar or 20% increase in the toll on the Golden Gate Bridge to go into effect September 1 making the new toll $6 for cars paying cash and $5 by transponder. The per axle rate for trucks is half the car rate. Tolls are levied only on the southbound direction of travel. Northbound is always free.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

InTrans French sub gets

e-toll job

MOVEABLE BARRIER

Golden Gate bridge to get moveable barrier