Bridge tolls heading to $11.50 in San Mateo County

“Overall, bridge traffic has stabilized at lower levels than pre-pandemic,” Fremier said. “It’s [the Bay Area Toll Authority’s] responsibility to fund bridge operations and preservation, with bridge tolls being the primary funding source. With the changes in bridge traffic … it’s important for BATA to address these fiscal challenges head on and avoid far deeper challenges in the future.”

A $1 toll increase was already planned for 2025, as part of the final and third installment increase as outlined in the 2018 voter-approved Regional Measure 3 ballot measure. RM3 funds are meant to go toward numerous capital improvement projects, including expanding BART in the South Bay and extending Caltrain to downtown San Francisco. San Mateo County will receive about 8% of the total RM3 funds over a 25-year period, according to the MTC website. The San Mateo-Hayward and Dumbarton bridges account for 20% of all vehicle trips among the seven state-owned Bay Area bridges, 2022 data shows.

The separate 50-cent increase starting in 2026 would continue until 2030, at which point the San Mateo-Hayward and Dumbarton bridges would cost $10.50 for those with a FasTrak and $11.50 for those without. Vehicles with more than two axles will be charged more. The new resolution also establishes a uniform three-person carpool requirement to be eligible for the toll discount — though two-occupant cars could still use the carpool lane.

Commissioners also expressed concern over a column reported in the East Bay Times, alleging that BATA has been fiscally irresponsible — equating its RM3 revenue to a slush fund — and misleading voters about the eligible uses for such money. While some public comments were supportive of the increase, others, including a letter from the Contra Costa County Taxpayers Association, said the board should not increase tolls until “BATA and its [Chief Financial Officer] have completed necessary fiscal reforms which allow the BATA Board to make well-informed decisions and produce transparency to the public.”

Commissioners and MTC were adamant the funds are appropriately allocated. Gina Papan, MTC commissioner and former Millbrae councilmember, supported the increase, though she added it was important to remain transparent about the funding levels and enforcement.

“The consequences are extreme for not maintaining the bridges,” she said. “There is no way anybody can afford building new bridges, and we have to maintain these under the law.”