San Francisco Bay Area toll rates go up by $1 on Jan. 1

The start of a new year can mean more money out of the pockets of many motorists via higher toll rates. The Bay Area Toll Authority recently announced increased rates that will go into effect on Jan. 1. This marks the first increase in nearly nine years, and is the first of three increases over the next six years.

On Wednesday, Dec. 19, the toll authority for the San Francisco Bay Area announced toll rate hikes at seven state-owned toll bridges. The Golden Gate Bridge is exempt from the toll increase.

Beginning Jan. 1, tolls for all vehicle types will increase by $1. For five-axle vehicles, it will cost $26 to cross each of the seven state-owned bridges, which includes the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael, San Francisco-Oakland Bay and San Mateo-Hayward bridges.

Tolls for two-axle vehicles will increase to $6 at all bridges except the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. At the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, regular tolls will climb to $7 from the current $6 on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. During weekday off-peak hours from 12 midnight to 5 a.m., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to midnight, Bay Bridge tolls will rise from $4 to $5; and on Saturdays and Sundays, Bay Bridge tolls will increase to $6 from the current $5.

For vehicles with three or more axles, the Bay Area Toll Authority set these rates on all seven bridge:

• Three axles – $16.
• Four axles – $21.
• Five axles – $26.
• Six axles – $31.
• Seven or more axles – $36.

Discounted peak-period toll rates for motorcycles, carpools and certain clean-air vehicles will increase from $2.50 to $3.

The toll increase is the first rate hike since 2010. Last year, state lawmakers passed SB 595, which allows a toll increase not to exceed $3 if approved by voters. In June, voters approved of Regional Measure 3, which allows increasing bridge tolls in the Bay Area by $3 over six years. Revenue will help fund the Bay Area Traffic Relief Plan. Tolls will increase by $1 at the first of the year in 2019, 2022 and 2025.