Golden Gate Bridge Costs More To Cross

SAN FRANCISCO, June 28 Reuters reported that the daily drive over San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is one of the loveliest commutes in California -- and will soon be one of the most expensive.

Bridge officials voted on Friday to increase the toll on the famous span to $5 per car, a $2 boost aimed at helping to reduce a $441 million budget deficit over the next five years.

The toll increase, which has been greeted with howls of protest by drivers, is set to go into effect on Sept. 1. A parallel proposal to begin charging tolls for cyclists or walkers who cross the bridge has been put on hold pending more review by bridge staff.

Bridge officials have been looking for ways to offset low revenues, which have been exacerbated by post-Sept. 11 security costs and a pricey seismic retrofit.

The last toll hike was in 1991, when the toll to cross the landmark that connects San Francisco with Marin County was raised to $3 from $2. Ridership has remained relatively flat, meaning a cash crunch for the independent bridge district which uses Golden Gate toll revenues to maintain and operate not only the bridge, but bus and ferry services as well.

"It's a very effective system, but it costs money to run it. And our only source is Golden Gate Bridge tolls to help subsidize it," said Mary Currie, a bridge spokeswoman.

The toll on the soaring span, one of the most famous landmarks in the United States, is already the highest among California bridges but lower than the $6 it costs to take the George Washington Bridge connecting New York City and New Jersey.

The bridge, a 4,200-foot (1,400-meter) suspension span, carries more than 100,000 vehicles each day.