No more toll takers at Golden Gate Bridge

[AsahinaKimi]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Drivers approaching the majestic Golden Gate Bridge will experience something new for the first time in 76 years: no human toll collectors.

The toll takers were removed in favor of cheaper and faster electronic transponders, and a camera system photographs every license plate that comes through, mailing an invoice to each motorist who doesn't prepay.

Those who fail to pay will receive warnings and could ultimately have a hold placed on their vehicle registration at the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

In addition to saving money, the move is expected to improve traffic flow on the majestic span that opened in 1937.

more..http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20130329p2g00m0dm015000c.html

[itsrobert]

1. Hasn't the bridge been paid for over and over again

even with rehab work? Also, doesn't gas taxes go towards maintaining the roadways? Why the toll?

[AsahinaKimi]

2. I was once told

That it takes an entire year to repaint the golden gate bridge, and by the time they finish it, they have to start again. That was told to me by a SF chief building inspector. Not sure if its really true, but I am willing to take his word on it.

[CincyDem]

4. Heard the same thing.

Friend in SF told me there's a couple painters that have served their entire 18-20 year careers just "painting the 'Gate" day in and day out.

Very Sisyphusian.

[pinto]

6. I've heard the same. Enourmous task.

[AsahinaKimi]

8. yap, it is...

Damn! they can have it!

[pinto]

11. Wow. Great shot.

[Auggie]

3. The toll also supports public transportation ...

bus and ferry service from Marin County.

[Gormy Cuss]

5. This is mind-numbingly hostile to occasional users (especially tourists)

but the GG transit authority is expert at that strategy. From a privacy standpoint it's really chilling that they're photographing EVERY license plate and storing the data. But hey, they're saving a few bucks by cutting labor costs (or are they?---all depends on how much it actually costs to pursue the scofflaws.)

[pinto]

7. Really chilling? Your license plate is already a public record and prominently displayed.

I don't see any invasion of privacy. I'd be interested in seeing the labor costs breakdown, though. And the increased efficiency data, fwiw.

[Gormy Cuss]

9. Where the car travels and when, kept in a database is invasive.

I haven't seen any reference to how long the authority plans to keep the data nor how they plan to secure it. Have you? They probably plan to keep it indefinitely because it's useful for resolving payment disputes, and perhaps to inform future pricing structures based on usage level. If that's the case, it's also going to be a gold mine for investigators and data miners who are trying to track specific individual's movements. Unless the GGTA is prohibited from doing so you can bet that they'll be selling it.

Yeah, I know. Why should I care if I have nothing to hide?

[itsrobert]

10. Dallas, TX tollways use this, However, out of state vehicles

slip through the process, because it's an enormous task connecting to other states databases and billing the drivers. Many out of staters drive the tollways for months and not pay.