SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – Two new bridge toll assistance programs will go into effect in the Bay Area this upcoming Sunday.
For more, stream KCBS Radio now.
The programs are designed to benefit customers from lower-income households as well as eligible military veterans. Both assembly bills were initially passed by the legislature during COVID-19.
In 2020, no toll takers were at the bridge toll booths across the Bay Area. Instead, FasTrak sent invoices to registered owners for the tolls. Many people racked up penalties, prompting the first program.
The program is known as a "low-income COVID waiver program," John Goodwin with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Bay Area Toll Authority, told KCBS Radio.
Goodwin said the program will waive penalties for low-income drivers. "Folks have to ask for the waiver, contact FasTrak and ask for it, and they will be obliged to pay their outstanding tolls," he explained.
Starting July 1, veterans with a special designation license plate will also receive some payment aid. They will no longer have to pay any bridge toll. The license plate must be one of the following: "Congressional Medal of Honor, Disabled Veteran, Legion of Valor, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Ex-POW or Purple Heart," Goodwin said.
Another benefit for these special veterans, "they don't even need to have a FasTrak account to qualify for free passes," Goodwin said.
Both programs apply to the Golden Gate Bridge and the state-owned Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael, San Francisco-Oakland Bay and San Mateo-Hayward bridges.
DOWNLOAD the Audacy App
SIGN UP and follow KCBS Radio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Related
