San Francisco may charge drivers during peak hours

Stephen Chen of Mill Valley uses the bus, ferry and his car to commute to San Francisco - and driving is by far the most expensive.

He is not keen to see a traffic congestion fee in certain parts of the city during rush hour that San Francisco leaders are considering.

"I like the idea of congestion pricing on freeways, but it's about $30 if I drive in already," said Chen, who works in consulting and online marketing. "That's why I don't drive every day. It's $18 for parking, $5 for tolls and the rest for gas. Biking and using the ferry is $8 and the bus is $5. So it's economics."

But commuter Judy Gilbert of Mill Valley said the idea may have merit if it can clear clogged city streets.

"Sure it's an extra fee, but if it allows
people to move around more quickly it might make sense," said Gilbert, who works in education research in San Francisco.

To fight gridlock, smog and global-warming gases, San Francisco is considering becoming the first city in the nation to impose congestion-management fees during rush hour to drive into and possibly out of the busiest downtown areas.

Fees from $1 to $4 are being examined in an 18-month study of congestion pricing by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, an agency governed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The money would be invested in public transit and other congestion-reducing measures.

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