End of toll-takers on Golden Gate Bridge
 

Just a heads-up for tourists:

http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2013/0...system-begins/

I saw on the news last night, that the bad side effect of all this is that people are now driving though at about 60 MPH.

Oh, by the way. I remember our toll being exempted when there were several of us in the car coming across at "commuter times". How does that work without the toll takers? Or does it?

re: carpools

http://goldengate.org/tolls/golive.php

"Additionally, to aid the smooth flow of traffic, toll lane #2 will be designated as the dedicated CARPOOL ONLY toll lane. Toll lane #2 is the second toll lane from the right (western side) at the Toll Plaza when heading south to San Francisco. Toll lane #2 will be only for eligible carpools (3+ persons per vehicle and motorcycles) using FasTrak during carpool hours, weekdays, 5 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm, except holidays. FasTrak is required to enter the CARPOOL ONLY toll lane. Learn more about carpool eligibility at Golden Gate Bridge: www.goldengate.org/tolls."

Trust me, nobody's driving through the toll booths on the GGB at 60 mph -- they're much too old and narrow for that. (I've been on the bridge 4 times in the last 5 days). If anything, I think people who don't have FasTrak will be slowing down because they don't know what to do! (which is keep on driving, they'll take a picture of your plates and send you a bill)

Thanks for the heads up. I read the article and it doesn't address the tourist driving a rental car. I copied the one-time-payment method, and will ask the rental car company, too.

California is finally catching up to Texas on toll takers . . .

Here in Florida we had SunPass for years. We received ours about 2-3 years ago. All we have to do is load our account up through the internet and out window sticker, about 2"x 2" transporter gets us through the Skyway Bridge in Tampa area and any toll roads in Florida without stopping.

The other toll booths are still staffed but I believe their days are numbered.

Thanks for the heads up. I read the article and it doesn't address the tourist driving a rental car.

Either they will have a FasTrak, or their license will be photo'd, the rental car company will be billed, and they'll bill the renter (with an admin fee I presume).

Oh, and it's a $5.00 toll using FasTrak, $6.00 if you don't have FasTrak.

I guess NBC news made up the idea of people driving through at high speeds -- up to 60.

sf, sounds like a plan the rental car companies won't like.

<<Here in Florida we had SunPass for years>>
So has California, except it's called FastTrak here. It was approved in 1990, first used in 1993.

<<the article and it doesn't address the tourist driving a rental car.>>
Not specifically, but all payment options are listed:

<b>How to Pay Golden Gate Bridge Tolls

Commuters can still use the existing FasTrak system or open a new account and pay a toll of $5. All other payment methods cost $6. Bridge spokeswoman Mary Currie says that about 70 percent of southbound motorists on the bridge already use FasTrak.

Drivers can open a License Plate Account that charges a registered credit card every time the car crosses the bridge.

Motorists can make a one-time payment up to 30 days before or up to 48 hours after crossing the bridge online, by phone or eventually at "cash payment locations."

Drivers can pay a toll invoice that is mailed to the car's registered owner after the crossing with the help of cameras that capture passing cars' license plate numbers.</b>

I would think most tourists would use option 3 or 4.

Looks like a PIA for tourists in rental cars. I will ask when I pick up the car.

It shouldn't be that hard for car rental companies. Ireland has the same sort of system. The rental car companies know about it and any tolls will be included in the bill.

It is the same PIA for car rentals in other states, including Florida. It's not really a big deal, but the rental car agencies can make money off the whole thing.

PIA for just a visit to the city for the weekend.

I believe, but please don't quote me on this, the rentals do have free SunPass window stickers already on the cars. The rental agency will ask you if you want to put few $ on that sticker, so if you know your route then you can accept and add few $ or decline. We never rented a car here so once again I'm not sure how that works.

Tourist with their own car can pre-plan their trip and if needed can order the free sticker on line and pre-pay.

<<<Tourist with their own car can pre-plan>>>

Which would be a PITA for a road-trip unless you're just going Point A to Point B.

AAFF, since you mention SunPass, I assume you are talking about Florida. Having rented a couple of cars recently in Florida, that's NOT the way it happens. So, no, I won't quote you on what you said!

You can choose to use the pass for which there is something like a $7 per day fee regardless of whether you actually use it or not. Or you can pay them individually for the tolls using the license plate system. In that case there are also some pretty big fees tacked on. Or, of course you can choose to just pay your tolls yourself and not do anything through the rental car. That's fine UNLESS you happen to hit one of those places where you exit a toll road and there is NO other way to pay the toll. In that case, you'll get hit with the fee.

"Motorists can make a one-time payment up to 30 days before or up to 48 hours after crossing the bridge online, by phone or eventually at "cash payment locations."
As a tourist how would one find these cash payment locations once they are set up? or even the online payment? What a PIA.