Just before Easter we crossed the Golden Gate in our dinghy. When we arrived back at our So Cal homebase last week, we had a letter waiting for us telling us that we were delinquent in paying the toll for crossing the bridge. DW contacted them by email & explained the situation. She offered that we would be more than willing to pay the toll, but would really appreciate a waiver of the penalty fees. They were kind enough to accommodate that request. Like to 'publicly' thank them & warn others who are enjoying extended travels and might be using the bridge.

Don't ya just love when the 'back end' of technology is a paper letter?

FasTrak is very understanding about stuff like this and will often waive the penalties.

Why were there penalties?Equipment malfunction?

To clarify, many of the toll roads and bridges in California have gone to a pay per use fee using credit cards. You can sign up and have the tolls taken directly out of your credit card or you can call or use their website to pay the fee after you use the road or bridge (honor system). All of the manned tollbooths have been removed. It's all automated. The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) calls this FasTrak.If you don't call and pay then you receive a letter and penalties for failure to pay.

Golden Gate Bridge Toll | Good Sam Community

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jun 07, 2015
One way tolls on the bay area bridges improved traffic flow. Then electronic only toll lanes were added with the cash lanes. The GG is the first bridge to have all electronic and eliminate toll collectors further reducing cost and increasing traffic flow.

I suspect that if the GG is viewed as a success the other 7 bridges may follow with all electronic lanes. However the GG is part of a separate district while the other bridges are state owned.
mt1729
Explorer
Jun 07, 2015
I guess I should have read more carefully. Toll is only for South bound. We were going North. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
mt1729
Explorer
Jun 07, 2015
I crossed the Golden Gate in late April towing our 5th wh. I never saw any signs that said any thing about a toll. We're from MT. Have yet to receive any bill. Are we talking about the Golden Gate Bridge or am I confused?
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2015
IAMICHABOD wrote:
Wavesprite wrote:
Strange, we travelled over the bridge, on 4/10/15 and we haven't gotten anything yet. I keep thinking "when will that invoice arrive".

I crossed the Bridge on 5/14/15 and they sent the toll invoice exactly 2 weeks later. I paid it on line the on 5/18/15 but still got the invoice,copied the conformation letter and sent it back, hope that works. The Toll is only $7.00 but if you don't pay it within 3 weeks there is $25.00 fine on top of that.

Nice picture of the front of my rig on the Invoice.

Just to update this, today 6/6/15 they finally debited my card for the $7.00, so all is good with the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Invoice Processing Dept.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jun 01, 2015
At work, I received several invoices in May for bridge crossings in January - so there can be a long delay.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jun 01, 2015
Go to their site and check for your license to be sure.

My understanding that they intend to bill the license from any state.
Wavesprite
Explorer II
Jun 01, 2015
So strange, it's been almost 2 months, no invoice yet. We have our vehicles registered in California, so I'm not sure. Maybe the cameras were down that day and we lucked out???
OutdoorPhotogra
Explorer
May 30, 2015
I crossed the bridge a few times a couple years ago and never got anything. Personal vehicle not registered in CA.

Rentals are a pain because they will charge a "convenience charge" of approximately $15/day for every day you used the car if you go through one electronic toll booth. Charge will show up about a week after you turn in rental. Electronic tolls are easy for locals but I try to avoid them in rentals.

you need to ask the policy in advance. Avis is who bit me which is frustrating because I like their preferred service otherwise.
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
May 30, 2015
Wavesprite wrote:
Strange, we travelled over the bridge, on 4/10/15 and we haven't gotten anything yet. I keep thinking "when will that invoice arrive".

I crossed the Bridge on 5/14/15 and they sent the toll invoice exactly 2 weeks later. I paid it on line the on 5/18/15 but still got the invoice,copied the conformation letter and sent it back, hope that works. The Toll is only $7.00 but if you don't pay it within 3 weeks there is $25.00 fine on top of that.

Nice picture of the front of my rig on the Invoice.
aerbus32
Explorer II
May 23, 2015
We just used the Coronado Bay Bridge this morning. It was been toll free for some time now. When we were in the Bay Area, I was way too busy watching traffic & construction detours to notice something about the toll letter. We were definitely looking for toll booths! In the future we'll simply make arrangements to have our mail checked before we retune to our home base. (That's what grandkids are for, right?)