Plans call for raising the tolls on the San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge depending on the time of day, but commuters have so far reacted negatively to the plan, arguing there are too few alternatives.
"Drivers crossing the Golden Gate Bridge will pay as much as $7 during the morning and evening commutes and on weekend and holiday afternoons if bridge directors approve a congestion-based toll unveiled Thursday.
The district already plans to increase by a dollar its current toll of $5 for those who pay with cash and $4 for those who use FasTrak. The congestion-based toll would add a dollar more during the periods of 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 3 to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
"The idea is to incent people to leave a little earlier or come back a little later so that they don't have to travel in those peak periods," said Celia Kupersmith, general manager of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District."
"Not surprisingly, drivers reacted angrily to news of a $7 toll, saying it would penalize working people who have no choice but to drive during commute hours.
"This is pathetic," said Jose Archimede, a salesman who said the public should "be allowed to vote on these excessive and exorbitant charges."
"The U.S. Department of Transportation, which is pushing congestion pricing nationwide, set a goal for the Golden Gate Bridge of reducing congestion during the busiest periods so that the average speed on the bridge and its approaches doesn't drop below 10 mph under the speed limit more than 10 percent of the time."
FULL STORY: Golden Gate Bridge unveils peak-hour toll plan
How NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo Came to Support Congestion Pricing
Gov. Andrew Cuomo was not an early endorser of congestion pricing. Why the sudden embrace, particularly when Mayor Bill de Blasio is opposed? Turns out that electronic tolling technology, embraced by the MTA, appears to have moved the governor.
Bay Area Voters May Be Asked to Hike Bridge Tolls 60 Percent
Before the ballot measure would go to voters, state legislation needs to be written, passed, and signed by Gov. Brown. The first step was taken Dec. 14, when the region's planning agency discussed the option. Tolls are $5, last raised $1 in 2010.
Carpoolers Lose Free Ride On All Bay Area Bridges
In Jan., the Bay Area Toll Authority approved a new toll schedule that charges carpoolers $2.50, half the regular toll, effective July 1 to cross the seven state owned Bay Area bridges. On May 28, the Golden Gate Dist. approved a $3 carpool rate.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
How California Transit Agencies are Addressing Rider Harassment
Safety and harassment are commonly cited reasons passengers, particularly women and girls, avoid public transit.
Significant Investments Needed to Protect LA County Residents From Climate Hazards
A new study estimates that LA County must invest billions of dollars before 2040 to protect residents from extreme heat, increasing precipitation, worsening wildfires, rising sea levels, and climate-induced public health threats.
Federal Rule Raises Cost for Oil and Gas Extraction on Public Lands
An update to federal regulations raises minimum bonding to limit orphaned wells and ensure cleanup costs are covered — but it still may not be enough to mitigate the damages caused by oil and gas drilling.
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