Bridge's Congestion Pricing May Extend to Entire City

Peak period pricing on the Bay Bridge, enacted by the regional Bay Area Toll Authority on July 1, is the first application of congestion pricing for driving in the Bay Area. Officials in San Francisco feel the outcome is favorable for their project.

1 minute read

August 26, 2010, 1:00 PM PDT

By Irvin Dawid

Make no mistake - these are two separate projects by two different agencies - both involving different applications of congestion pricing. However, the goals are similar - shift driving to off-peak times, and shifting drivers from single occupant vehicles to alternatives.

"San Francisco officials are watching closely to see if higher tolls on the Bay Bridge might help the city make the case for charging fees to drive into downtown in high-traffic periods -- and so far, the evidence is promising.

(E)xecutives from the San Francisco County Transportation Authority planning to bring a citywide congestion pricing plan before the Board of Supervisors this fall were encouraged by the trend toward public transit."

"We do think that it is too early to draw any conclusions," SFCTA deputy director for planning Tilly Chang said. "But the general indication is that people are shifting their behavior in some way, which is the goal of congestion pricing."

Thanks to Climate Plan

FULL STORY: Bay Bridge tolls a boost for congestion pricing?

Monday, August 23, 2010 in San Francisco Bay Guardian

Transportation California San Francisco Bay Area Bay Bridge

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