Golden Gate Bridge toll could be $8 in 5 years

[Auggie]

San Francisco Chronicle / 11-12-13

Commuters should get ready to dig deeper into their pockets to cross the Golden Gate Bridge as transit district officials consider plans to bump the toll as high as $8 over the next five years.

On Friday, directors of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District will look at five options for an April toll increase. While the directors will not vote on a toll hike until early next year, bridge district officials made it clear Tuesday that the increase is coming.

"The last time tolls were raised was just over six years ago," said Denis Mulligan, the district's general manager. "Things cost more now than they did then."

The district is also facing a projected $142 million shortfall over the next few years, despite eliminating toll takers and ferry boat ticket agents, trimming low-ridership Golden Gate Transit runs, and raising bus and ferry fares.

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Golden-Gate-Bridge-toll-could-be-8-in-5-years-4978591.php

When the wealthy pay less in taxes everyone else pays more.

[NYC_SKP]

1. There should be no toll IMO because the booths cause traffic, traffice causes pollution

And it's not like once you get into the city you can park for free anyway.

That city is not car friendly, the bridge is critical for commerce. Tear down the toll booths.

[pothos]

13. No booths anymore!

it's all electronic, either via transponder or they take a picture of your license plate and mail you the bill for the toll

[gtar100]

2. The good news is that they'll still let you out for free.

Because you only have to pay to play in the world's largest game of musical chairs. Contestants are free to leave at any time.

[KurtNYC]

3. Every bridge and tunnel over the Hudson river: $13

Motorcycle: $12
Truck with 4 axles: $60

http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/tolls.html

[Auggie]

4. Didn't know that ...

wow!

[Trillo]

5. If you're a biz, I'm sure you can tax-deduct the charges. But, if you're an employee

commuting to work, I don't think you can deduct the charges.

Just another way working folks get screwed everyday.

[Auggie]

6. Just as you can deduct the daily parking fee n/t

[KamaAina]

7. Golden Gate Transit is funded in part by the bridge tolls

so maybe they can expand service to accommodate those who balk at the $8 toll.

[pinto]

8. Good point.

[blkmusclmachine]

9. When the wealthy pay less in taxes everyone else pays more.

[Mr.Bill]

10. The Golden Gate Bridge is somewhat unique

in this area, because it is not run by the state or the city. It is run by the Golden gat Bridge District, which collects no other taxes from the rich or poor, so the tolls collected on the bridge have no effect on taxes or vice versa. It is an independent entity, unlike most toll collecting infrastructure.

[Auggie]

11. Another good point. So should it remain independent from the state?

How many jobs are duplicated in staffing and maintenance that may be served by CalTrans?

[Mr.Bill]

12. That's hard to say.

I would imagine much of the work, such as the crew that paints it, and the crew that moves the barriers to change the number of lanes in each direction is unique to this particular bridge. Other functions, such as paving, not so unique. But some of those things may already be done by outside contractors anyway. The bottom line is, their toll amount has always been pretty much in line with other bridges in the bay area run by Caltrans, so maybe turning it over to them wouldn't really change much.

At least the way it is now, all the money collected by the GGB district stays there and it cannot be used as a cash cow by some government agency for other purposes in other areas.

[Iggo]

14. Tax the rich.