Two bridge toll assistance programs are set to go into effect in early 2023, offering free crossings for eligible military veterans and a penalty waiver for low-income residents.
Starting Jan. 1, veterans who have a vehicle license plate with a Congressional Medal of Honor, Disabled Veteran, Legion of Valor, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Ex-Prisoner of War or Purple Heart designation will be able to cross all California toll bridges for free.
That includes the Golden Gate Bridge and state-owned bridges like the Bay Bridge, Dumbarton Bridge and Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Eligible veterans do not need a FasTrak electronic payment system to qualify for the toll waiver, but those who do have one will be required to place their FasTrak in a Mylar bag when traveling through a toll plaza. Residents can request a Mylar bag for free from FasTrak customer service by calling 877-229-8655.
The waiver is the result of state legislators passing Assembly Bill 2949, authored by Assembly member Alex Lee, D-San Jose. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2949 into law on Sept. 30.
The Bay Area Toll Authority and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District also announced that they will implement a waiver by July 1, 2023, for households with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, clearing those drivers of outstanding penalties for bridge toll violations.
Motorists who meet the income threshold — roughly $55,000 for a family of four — would be able to request a waiver for outstanding penalty fees accrued at the region's toll bridges between March 20, 2020, and Jan. 1, 2023.
The waiver is the result of Assembly Bill 2594, authored by Assembly member Phil Ting, D-San Francisco. Newsom signed the bill Sept. 30.
Comments
Registered user
Midtown
on Dec 30, 2022 at 10:22 am
Registered user
on Dec 30, 2022 at 10:22 am
Definitely an Idea Whose Time Has Come! Especially in the case of our veterans, this exemption from bridge tolls is long overdue.
Registered user
East Palo Alto
on Dec 30, 2022 at 12:23 pm
Registered user
on Dec 30, 2022 at 12:23 pm
Low income drivers crossing these bridges should simply be able to show their SNAP or Medi-Cal card for toll-free passage.
Registered user
another community
on Jan 1, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Registered user
on Jan 1, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Mauricio there are no toll takers any more, nothing to show a card to. What the state would or should have done was do an annual means test, and if they are eligible, create a fastrak account that the FasTrak system could them waive the penalties electronically. But I think the state should be doing more -- no tolls for low income, and no tolls for disabled people. It's not so much that disabled need a special privilege, it's just that many disabled people get on the highway to go to a medical appointment. And having to stay in the slow or free lane, can make the trip take longer and exacerbate whatever disabling condition they may have.