The Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) is considering a proposed toll increase of $2.50 that would be phased in over five years, starting off with a 50 cent increase on Jan. 1, 2026.
The proposed hike would exclusively pay for the maintenance, rehabilitation and operation of the Bay Bridge and the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward bridges, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). It includes a tiered rate structure aimed at encouraging more customers to pay electronically with FasTrak.
The proposed toll hike is separate from the $3 increase approved by Bay Area voters in 2018 through Regional Measure 3 to finance highway and transit improvements around the region. That hike will bring the cost of crossing local bridges to $8 using FasTrak.
The public has an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed toll increase during a comment period that begins Monday, Nov.4, and continues through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Comments may be sent via email to [email protected]. BATA and MTC also will host a public webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. to present more details. A public hearing will be held at 9:35 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, in San Francisco to hear testimony about the proposal from Bay Area residents, businesses and other interested parties.
