That breathtaking drive across the Golden Gate Bridge could soon cost more.
On Friday, the Board of Directors for the Golden Gate Bridge District will consider laying off a quarter of its workforce, raising tolls, or some combination of the two.
It is further fallout from the pandemic, as far fewer riders and drivers means a significant drop in revenue. Traffic on the bridge has dropped by 30%, but that is nothing compared to the 75% drop in bus ridership and 96% drop in ferry passengers.
"Every day we have bus drivers that we sent home, pay them for a full eight hours when they don’t drive," General Manager Dennis Mulligan told KPIX 5.
Officials are considering temporarily raising tolls anywhere from $1.25 to $2, which would mean tolls will top $10 for some drivers. It currently costs from $7.70 to $8.70 to cross the bridge.
Layoffs could impact up to 200 workers.
The bridge district did receive more than $50 million in funding from the CARES Act, but that money has now been spent.
It is a crisis facing transportation agencies everywhere.