Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Toll Will Increase By $1 On Jan. 1

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Driving over the Richmond-San Rafael bridge is about to get a bit more expensive: The toll for two-axle cars, trucks and motorcycles will rise to $7 from $6 on Jan. 1, 2022.

Tolls for vehicles with three or more axles will also rise by $1 on that day, to $17 for three axles, $22 for four axles, $27 for five axles, $32 for six axles, and $37 for combinations with seven or more axles, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission said in a news release.

Costs of driving over other state bridges will rise, too, as the price increase applies to the Bay Area Toll Authority's state-owned toll bridges. That group also includes the San Francisco-Oakland Bay, Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, and San Mateo-Hayward bridges.

The rise is the second of three $1 toll increases, officials said. The first went into effect on Jan. 1, 2019, and the last will be implemented on Jan. 1, 2026. They were approved by the legislature through state Senate Bill 595 and by voters through Regional Measure 3.

But the money won't go directly to the Bay Area Toll Authority — since a legal challenge to Senate Bill 595 and Regional Measure 3 is pending before the California Supreme Court, the funds will be placed into an escrow account managed by an "independent trustee," officials said.

"Revenue from the 2019 toll increase also is being held in escrow," the news release said. "If BATA prevails in the litigation, the funds will be applied to BATA-approved programs."

A discounted toll for motorcycles, carpools and qualifying clean-air vehicles crossing the bridges on weekdays from 5 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. will increase from $3 to $3.50. Anyone interested in the discount must use FasTrak to pay their tolls electronically and must use a designated carpool lane at each toll plaza, officials said.