Every day, thousands of people use the bridge either for leisure, to get home, and even go to work. Many residents work on that part of the island, which is home to several beach resorts and restaurants. According to those workers, a big chunk of their salary goes towards the bridge toll, and they are appealing to the local authorities to please have some consideration on them. Many of these labourers claim that the bridge has already paid itself, thus, there is no reason to continue paying the toll, while others suggest that since they use the bridge to get to their working areas, the fee should not apply to them.

In response, Mayor Daniel Guerrero told The San Pedro Sun that the fee will continue to be applied to everyone across the board. He stated that in order to keep the bridge functioning properly, and providing the adequate maintenance necessary, funds must be raised and the toll is one of the sources for it. “We cannot eliminate that fee, we could maybe reduce it, but not stop it,” said Guerrero. “People need to also realize that when they pay their fee to cross the bridge, they are at the same time contributing to their own community. The funds collected from the toll are spent on projects within the island, so there is a purpose to keep the fee.”

The SPTC is working on investing in a computerized system to better serve the commuters that use the bridge, however, the Mayor emphasized that the toll will continue. “We cannot operate without it; it’s another source of income for the municipality,” ended Guerrero.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see photos in the San Pedro Sun

Mayor Danny should reconsider this. Maybe raise property tax a few cents would be a smarter idea

In 2014 my property tax was raised 300%. That should pay for one helluva lot of tolls.

What is the cost of a bridge pass these days? I think it is pedestrians, free, bicycles $1 each way, golf carts and small tav's $5 each way and then taxis are around $10 each way, heavy trucks are closer to $30 each way.

I would think perhaps bikes and pedestrians could be no charge.

Perhaps an affordable pass for folks that go over the bridge each day...

Especially since most of the businesses are located South of the bridge. The North Siders need to traverse the bridge to reach these.

I think the fees are excessive.
And I know that not everybody pays.

I was told by my San Mateo friend that residents there do not have to pay? Is this correct? If this is true, how would the toll taker know every person that lives there? I agree Diane, I see everyday people passing without being checked. I've also never seen a bicyclist pay?

I used to always use a monthly pass when I was living in the North. Probably went over the bridge 4 times on a busy day. The people who take the tolls know who has monthly passes so I was usually waived through. Maybe once or twice a week I was checked. This is probably what you see when people go through without being checked. Many times if someone usually a tourist was stopped in front of me paying the toll I would go around them, sometimes waived through by a traffic officer or I went around on my own.

The Bridge tolls hurt the resorts in the North I believe. The tourist do not like having to stop and pay so I believe some avoid north of the bridge both to stay and to frequent restaurants and such. I have always felt that finding another way to make up this money would be preferable but the town is always short on money and it would be a hard sell. I knew there was a plan kicking around to increase real estate taxes and if that poster taxes went up 300% like he says I guess it went into effect. The town has realized for some time now that there was a great potential to raise some money from all the condos which were built in the last several years. Can't say I blame them and most would not mind as long as the money is used properly. Mayor Danny does a good job especially when compared to the past in my opinion.

Honestly, I have never seen a single person on foot or on bicycle pay a toll at the bridge. I know I never paid a toll while on a bike...

On a cart, I pay the toll either by month or by use, seems fair to me.

I stayed North of the bridge for the first time this year. To be honest, on a 2 week trip, I really should have bought one of the monthly passes. It would have paid for itself quickly. While I hate tolls in general (lol who doesn't), I can understand the need to generate income to keep the bridge maintained. But, I also understand and agree that it shouldn't come on the backs of those who live south but work North of the bridge. If property taxes went up 300%, is there any way to find out what that tax increase was meant to fund?

A suggestion I might make is to offer 1 week or half month passes that are discounts off the regular $5 per crossing price - say 1 dollar off for a week and 2 off for 2 weeks... The tough part though in any new implementation of toll fee changes is how to make sure the right fee(s) get charged to the right people.

Also agree that people on bikes shouldn't have to pay.