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Bay Area bridge toll increases loom
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Not many bothered to attend toll increase meeting. Photo by author.
Today, November 4th, the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) held a lightly-attended public meeting to present the options for a toll increase. There was not an option for no toll increase because of the necessity to fund $750 million in seismic repairs at two modern bridges, Antioch (1978) and Dumbarton (1982). In addition, toll traffic is down 8% from the high during Fiscal Year 2003 -2004, operating and administrative costs are up and debt service is consuming 50% of the pie.
And unless state or federal help is found, we are going to be adding more debt in an uncertain bond market at higher interest rates from the current at about 4½% to 6½%, according to BATA’s financial projections. Note that the proposed toll increases will only add about $165 million under the three options presented at the meeting. The three options include: (1) $5 for autos, $3 for carpools and $6 per truck axle over two; (2) Same as Option 1, but no carpool charge and $10 per truck axle over two; (3) Same as option one except the Bay Bridge (the busiest) would charge $6 per auto during peak hours, $4 during off-peak and $5 on weekends.
In the presentation it was noted that other bridges around the country charge more for both cars and trucks, citing Manhattan’s bridges. However, truck use of the Bay Bridge for example is only 928 during peak hours and 1,206 off-peak. Another slide demonstrated that more people were in favor of reducing the time for their commute than the price.
In the public comment section, a total of five people spoke, mostly in support of the congestion pricing idea and raising the tolls in general. One even thought the overall increases should be higher. Some favored free carpooling, while a trucking representative disagreed.
No one, not even the Commissioners questioned the relative value of free carpooling, where generally the carpool is assembled at transit stops (eliminating transit riders one-way), getting a free and speedy ride across the bridge (thus not funding congestion reduction) and returning home in a single occupancy vehicle. No other major toll authority offers free carpools.
Not a single speaker questioned the need for a toll increase, thus the increase can be considered a fact starting July 1st. The only question is what form it will take. This increase will not affect the Golden Gate Bridge as it is operated by a separate authority.
You can comment on the proposed increases at two other public meetings found at
mtc.ca.gov or directly by email at tolls@mtc.ca.gov. See More Bay Bridge woes for further information or Casual Carpools for commentary.
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