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Golden Gate Bridge District Looks To Ditch Toll Takers

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – The Golden Gate Bridge District is slowly taking steps to eliminate toll takers from the span.

The District was the first in the Bay Area to adopt FasTrak and now may also be the first to get rid of toll takers. Under the plan, cameras will take pictures of license plates of cars not using FasTrak.

Golden Gate Bridge District spokeswoman Mary Currie said the process of weeding out toll takers may start later this year.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

"The idea of moving to all-electronic tolling is something that the entire toll collection industry is doing. The technology is there to do it and so that's where the industry is going," said Currie. "Essentially what will happen at the Golden Gate Bridge is that everyone that has FasTrak will continue to receive the $1 discount at this point and then pay the $5 toll."

The Bridge District is trying to eliminate an $87 million budget deficit. Currie said that at this point next year, they may not have any toll takers at all, but will still look to find other jobs for the 35 who are there now.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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