Golden Gate Bridge toll increases over five years approved

Transportation officials approved a toll increase for the Golden Gate Bridge, which will bring the cost for motorists crossing the span to more than $11 by 2028.

The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, which oversees the bridge and bus and ferry transit from the North Bay to San Francisco, voted Friday to approve the five-year increase, which raises the bridge toll by 50 cents every July.

The first hike will go into effect July 1 this year, bringing the charge to $9.25 for FasTrak users, $9.50 for those with a “pay as you go” license plate account and $10.25 for invoice payers. By 2028, those rates will reach $11.25, $11.50 and $12.25, respectively.

The 50 cents-a-year plan was one of four the transportation board considered to recoup funds as it faces a projected $220 million deficit. The new rates are expected to bring in $139 million over five years — still not enough to cover the agency’s budget deficit.

Unlike other Bay Area transportation agencies, the Golden Gate district depends on vehicles to pay for transit. Car traffic on the bridge has plateaued at about 85% of 2019 levels, when more than 50,000 vehicles crossed the bridge on weekdays. The decline in traffic has lost the agency up to $30 million annually in bridge toll revenue.