The July 1st toll changes on all state-owned Bay Area bridges will affect almost all motorists, including carpoolers and motorcyclists. Find out how your commute will be affected by reading our FAQ. If you have a question that isn’t answered, please leave a comment below.
1. What are the new tolls for regular/single commuters during peak and non-peak commuting hours?
- Golden Gate Bridge – The toll on the Golden Gate Bridge remains the same for two-axle vehicles: $5 with FasTrak, $6 cash
- San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge – Weekdays (Monday-Friday) from 5-10 AM and 3-7 PM: $6
- All other bridges* – Every day, all day: $5
- Weekdays (Monday-Friday) at all other times: $4
- Weekends (Saturday and Sunday): $5
2. What is the discounted toll for carpoolers during peak hours?
- Peak/carpool hours are Weekdays (Monday-Friday) from 5-9 AM and 4-6 PM
- Golden Gate Bridge – With FasTrak: $3. There is no dedicated carpool lane, so you must stop in a staff-toll lane to be accurately registered as a qualifying carpool.
- All other bridges* – $2.50. You must use a designated carpool lane to qualify for the discount.
3. What happens if I drive in a carpoool lane without FasTrak?
- You will receive a violation in the mail (by way of a camera that captures your license plate number as you drive through). You have 30 days in which you can get a transponder to have your violation waived.
4. Will carpoolers/vanpoolers need FasTrak?
- Yes. If carpooling or vanpooling, you will need to obtain and display a FasTrak transponder.
5. Will my carpool vehicle be stopped so that someone can count the number of people inside?
- Only at the Golden Gate Bridge, carpoolers will have to stop briefly at a booth, where an attendant will verify the number of occupants in the vehicle and assess a $3 toll paid with FasTrak.
6. Will vanpoolers be charged a toll?
- No. Vanpools with 11 to15 passengers and a qualifying non-revenue FasTrak toll tag may cross toll-free on all Bay Area state-owned bridges*.
7. Will motorcyclists have to pay a toll?
- Motorcycle riders will be charged the same rates as carpoolers (see question #3) and will also need to display a FasTrak transponder (available at Walgreens, Safeway, and Costco).
8. I ride a motorcycle. How am I supposed to display the FasTrak transponder?
- You can keep the toll tag in the breast pocket of your jacket and it will be read by the FasTrak reader.
9. What is the new SamTrans paratransit fare?
- As of July 1, 2010 the new SamTrans fare will increase 50 cents to $3.50.
10. Will Lifeline fares increase?
- Yes, the Lifeline fare will increase 25 cents to $1.75 on July 1, 2010.
*Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward bridges
Metropolitan Transportation Commission resources
Additional Sources
- Do Bay Area drivers really need a FasTrak transponder? – Contra Costa Times
- Golden Gate Bridge Tolls & Traffic Operations
- The Queen of the Road: Toll increases affect motorcyclists, vanpools – Contra Costa Times
- The Queen of the Road: Tips for surviving the new bridge toll increases – Contra Costa Times
- Bay Area bridge toll questions answered – Contra Costa Times
- SamTrans raises coastside paratransit and low-income bus fares July 1 – San Francisco Chronicle
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[Photo via /\/\ichael Patric|{]
