Golden Gate Bridge May Raise Toll to $6

kron4 ^ | 2/9/05

[Citizen James]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Users of the Golden Gate Bridge could see yet another toll increase under a plan by the Golden Gate Bridge District to help the agency climb out of debt.

The district already has cut its deficit -- which once was $454 million -- in part by raising cash tolls from $3 to $5 in 2002.

Officials now say the toll hike wasn't enough, and have proposed raising it to $6 in July 2006. Bicyclists and pedestrians also might face tolls under the new plan.

"We are looking at a combination of things, but we will probably have to ratchet up the tolls," said Dietrich Stroeh, a Marin member on the Golden Gate Bridge District Board of Directors.

The bridge district faces a $108 million deficit over the next five years. Much of the deficit needs have been addressed, but there is still a $69 million hole, officials said.

The board of directors was set to meet Friday to discuss options.

Toll increases "are likely, but maybe they (the board) will come up with something else," said Mary Currie, district spokeswoman. "Anything we do will have full public involvement."

Fares for the district's ferry and bus operations also are likely to increase.

"I don't know if there is a magic bullet out there to avoid toll hikes," Stroeh said. "We are looking for it."

[Carry_Okie]

I would think that the traffic jams would motivate the people back to the buses and ferries.

Even with the best mass transit system in the region in San Francisco, mass transit cannot compete with the flexibility offered by personal transportation. It's been proven over and over, but control freaks like you just don't get it.

This outfit isn't intertwined with BART, is it?

No.

[Dog Gone]

Someday perhaps, the residents of the Bay Area will wonder why it costs them more to operate a bridge than anywhere else in the world.

Fix potholes, repaint every decade or so, and check for loose nuts. It's what we do with 99.99% of the bridges in this country.

It doesn't cost that much.

[kilowhskey]

They are running a deficit because, about 1970, the directors were about to become unemployed by virtue of the last of the bonds being paid off. So the directors, in their infinite wisdom, bought the commuter bus service from Greyhound and contracted to build a fleet of ferry boats. Bottom line: the bridge is a cash cow that subsidizes two money losing transit modes.

[SmithL]

$3 if you only go half-way across.

[Citizen James]

Aestethics are as, if not more important to San Franciscans than functionality.

From the GGB's official website:

The Golden Gate Bridge has always been painted orange vermilion, deemed "International Orange." Rejecting carbon black and steel gray, Morrow selected the color because it blends well with the span's natural setting. If the U.S. Navy had its way, the Bridge might have been painted black with yellow stripes to assure greater visibility for passing ships.

This might also have something to do with it...

The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District employs approximately 900 regular full-time, part-time and temporary employees. Based in San Francisco, the District consists of three operating divisions (Bridge, Bus and Ferry) and one administrative division. The District offers an excellent compensation and benefits package.

(throw around 10 unions into the mix, and there ya' go...)

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Why not just make everyone give a blood donation before they can cross the bridge?

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Aestethics are as, if not more important to San Franciscans than functionality.

Have you seen that rusting "art" sculpture at the Embarcadero? Have you seen (and smelled) the reeking bums in the streets?

[paulat]

Fix potholes, repaint every decade or so, and check for loose nuts. It's what we do with 99.99% of the bridges in this country.

...uh...does the word earthquake mean anything to you??!! Those cars that went off the middle of the Bay Bridge in '89 sure weren't happy about the lack of retro-fitting....

[SmithL]

...and from a different perspective,

And no, we didn't pay toll for this trip.

[GOP_Raider]

What I'm worried about is how much they're going to start charging to *leave* San Francisco.

For many in this situation, money would be no object.

[Dashing Dasher]

I'm her "mom" - she's adopted (don't tell her).

[Dashing Dasher]

You are right - I shouldn't brag about my cuteness without sharing proof - but I fear recognition by lurkers.

That is my dilemma.

Sorry....I'll try to figure something out.

[Dashing Dasher]

Those are both beautiful pictures of a beautiful bridge.

Deep sigh....

[NorCalRepub]

I have never told an airplane secrets at anytime....not even if begged to.........and I'm adopted so I'm sure when she finds out, she won't mind........

[Dashing Dasher]

I do spoil her!

;-)

[NorCalRepub]

but hey.......I"ve been over most of the major bridges in the US except for the Florida Keys and HEEEEEEYYYYYYYY, this is the Golden Gate for crying out loud....I still get goose bumps sometimes coming in from Marin, fog coming over the bridge and you can only see the tallest buildings in SF in the morning fog.........now there is a $6 site.....beats all the rest of them.....awesome........LOL.....just kidding

[NorCalRepub]

that is OK Dasher.....we trust you plus your adopted baby plane is enough......I don't want anyone here to see how devilishly handsome I am either.......LOL......plus then the FBI would easily solve one of their ten most wanted.....haha.....what part of Calif do you hail from if I might ask???

[Dashing Dasher]

SF Bay Area.
Land of Fruits, Nuts and DUmmies.

[NorCalRepub]

right on dudette........I live over in Walnut Creek Ca over in Contra Costa County......lived all over Calif but this is home.....grew up my youngster years in the Oakland Hills.....nice to meet ya.......tally ho.......