Editorials

SAN FRANCISCO — Caltrans officials admit they made some mistakes when they rolled out the FasTrak electronic toll system on Bay Area bridges and have discussed several plans to alleviate continuing traffic backups. 

Those plans include adding more FasTrak lanes on the bridges, including a new one on the Dumbarton Bridge by next week. 

“While there were some short-term problems, in the long term we’re going to have thousands of motorists signed up with FasTrak,” Caltrans spokesman Colin Jones said Wednesday, adding that about 5,000 applications are being submitted each week. 

“We’d be more concerned if no one was signing up. As we add more lanes and get more people signed up, the system is going to grow and improve.” 

Jones’ optimistic assessment differs from the experiences many Bay area commuters have reported.  

Some commuters say they are being charged for trips they  

didn’t take.  

And those who cross the Golden Gate Bridge say their transponders – the devices on a car’s windshield at the heart of the electronic payment system – don’t always work. 

Also, new applicants must endure a four- or five-week wait to get their transponders.  

Commuters can sign up by telephone, on line or by getting an application from a toll collector. 

Some of the worst traffic problems have been at the Bay Bridge, where only the two center lanes are FasTrak-equipped – forcing commuters to weave through a sea of cars for a chance to pay their tolls electronically. 

“Generally, the last couple of times I’ve come in I’ve just paid the toll. (It’s) not worth cutting over all the lanes,” said Eric Enos, a Bay Bridge commuter. 

Jones said Caltrans plans to immediately add more FasTrak lanes to all Bay area bridges – including one on each side of the Bay Bridge toll plaza by the end of April. 

Officials expect a new FasTrak lane at the Dumbarton Bridge by next week.  

The San Mateo Bridge should have a FasTrak-only lane by March. Officials also hope to have every toll booth accept FasTrak by the end of the year.