GG Bridge district accelerates toll increase

The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District Board of Directors voted 15-2 Friday to increase tolls by $1 starting April 7.

Tolls would rise from $5 to $6 for FasTrak users and pay-by-plates from $6 to $7.

The directors approved a different five-year toll increase plan than the one recommended by staff. The option approved by the directors raises tolls faster than the staff proposal with a 25-cent bump in each of the the next four years.

The staff-recommended option did not include increases next year, but did include a 25 cent increase in 2016 and 2017 and a 50 cent increase in 2018.

Both options still ended up with a $8 toll for pay-by-plates by 2018.

The approved toll plan will generate $138 million for the bridge district.