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May 9, 2008 1:45 pm US/Pacific
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Golden Gate Bridge $7 Peak Toll Decision Delayed
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ―
The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District Board of Directors delayed a decision Friday morning on a toll increase on the bridge during peak traffic congestion hours.
By a 13 to 2 vote, the board decided to wait until after a June 11 public hearing in Marin County before implementing any toll increases.
The district is proposing a $1 toll increase for motorists paying cash and a 50 cent increase for FasTrak users between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
The second proposal would increase the toll by $1 for both cash and FasTrak users during those same time periods. The toll is currently $5 for cash and $4 for FasTrak.
The congestion toll increase would be an addition to a proposed $1 increase to all motorists that is to take effect Sept. 1. The June 11 public hearing will be on both proposed toll increases.
The congestion toll increase would allow the district to secure $158 million in federal funding, most of which would go toward mass transit.
The board will discuss the toll increases again at its July 11 meeting.
District spokeswoman Mary Currie said 70 percent of motorists use FasTrak on the bridge during the weekday morning commute and 50 percent use FasTrak all day.
Board members stressed motorists who pay cash could avoid the $1 congestion toll increase by using FasTrak, altering their commute hours or using public transit.
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