Snap Shot of Proposed Toll Increase for

the Golden Gate Bridge

January 25, 2008

Golden Gate Bridge Proposed Toll Increase:

Increase two-axle CASH toll from $5 to $6,
Increase two-axle FASTRAK toll from $4 to $5
Per axle toll for more than two axles would increase from $2.50 per axle to $3.00 for CASH and from $2.00 per axle to $2.50 for FASTRAK
Increase the toll for qualified persons with disabilities from $1.50 (set in 1991) to 50% of the cash toll or $3.00 for two-axle vehicle (GGB is only bridge with such a toll rate).
Any toll increase would not occur before September 2008 at the earliest, and as late as January 1, 2009.

A decision on a toll increase will NOT be made by the Board of Directors until sometime following the three public open houses that are scheduled in February and March and after the June 11 formal public hearing. The earliest a toll increase would be implemented is September 2008.

The District has just four funding sources to operate the Bridge, buses and ferries: 1) tolls, 2) transit fares, 3) government grants, and 4) other (advertising, concessions, bus service contract with Marin, investment income, and leases).

A toll increase is proposed to fully resolve the District projected five-year $91 million shortfall as it would generate $92 million over a five-year period.

The five-year shortfall has been reduced by 80% since 2002—from $454 million to $91 million. The five-year shortfall was reduced through a range of actions:

External actions: toll increase September 2002, annual 5% transit fare increase program, reducing bus service by 25%, streamlining ferry services to use fewer vessels.

Internal actions: reduction in workforce of 21%, reduction in employee health benefits, two-year wage freeze, cut Board meeting expense by 50% by reducing the number of meetings, expanded revenue generating programs like more Bridge paid parking, more leases, more gift sales which are online now and a new annual Bridge holiday ornament program.

During this same time, critical capital improvements were implemented to safeguard and maintain the Bridge and transit system infrastructure: Bridge Phase II Seismic Retrofit completed, major under-deck repainting and repairs, expansion of security systems, along with many others.