OOIDA Call to Action – California members
November 30, 2009

Attention: California truckers! A proposal by the Bay Area Toll Authority would increase tolls on seven bridges to pay for “earthquake safety.” Two public hearings remain, and the Authority is accepting public comments until Dec. 21. You are encouraged to make your voice heard on this issue.

Current tolls for trucks and trailers range from $6 to $13.50 depending on the number of axles. The Toll Authority is considering three options for increases, all of which include per-axle increases for trucks. The proposal would affect all of the Toll Authority’s bridges except the Golden Gate.

Options being considered:

• Option 1: $5 toll for autos and motorcycles, $3 for carpools and $6 per each additional axle for trucks;
• Option 2: $5 toll for autos and motorcycles, free for carpools and $10 per each additional axle for trucks; or
• Option 3: Same as Option 1 for six bridges except for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, which would charge $6 for autos and motorcycles in peak hours and $4 for autos in non-peak hours Monday through Friday, and $5 for autos on weekends.

The increases would apply to the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael, San Francisco-Oakland Bay and San Mateo-Hayward bridges.

Two public hearings remain:

• 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Concord Senior Center, Wisteria Room, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord, CA; and
• 6:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 7, San Francisco State University, Downtown Campus, 835 Market St., Room 609, San Francisco, CA.

Written comments will be accepted until 4 p.m., Dec. 21. Address comments to the BATA Public Information Office, 101 Eighth St., Oakland, CA 94607-4700; fax them to BATA at 510-817-5848; or send via e-mail to tolls@mtc.ca.gov.

After reviewing public comments, the Toll Authority will choose an increase during its January meeting.