If Bay Area commuters weren't suffering enough with rising gas prices, the Bay Area Toll Authority issued a reminder on Wednesday that toll fees for seven bridges connecting the region will increase by $1 in the new year.
The increase only applies to state-owned bridges: San Francisco-Oakland Bay, Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward. The toll will go up for two-axle cars, trucks and motorcycles from $6 to $7 on Jan. 1, 2022.
The Golden Gate Bridge will not be affected. Vehicles with three or more axles will see an increase of $1 as well, to $17, $22 for four-axles, $27 for five axles, $32 for six axles, and $37 for combinations with seven or more axles, according to a BATA press release.
A peak-period toll discount will continue on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for motorcycles, carpools and qualifying clean-air vehicles, but will increase by 50 cents from $3 to $3.50.
The toll increase is part of state legislation that passed in 2017, Senate Bill 595 and Regional Measure 3. The bill arranged for three separate toll hikes to take place over the course of several years, the first of which went into effect Jan. 1, 2019.
The last increase will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. But a legal challenge against the legislation is currently pending in the California Supreme Court. While the case is being decided, all tolls collected after the Jan. 1 increase will be placed in an independent fund managed by a separate entity.
The funds raised through the toll hikes are being used for improvements to the region's transportation systems, such as the purchase of more BART cars and the expansion of MUNI service.
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