The San Francisco County Transportation Authority is seeking “community input” for a study on charging up to $12 for the privilege of driving into the downtown area during rush hour. It’s called congestion pricing.
“Hate traffic? We want your feedback,” reads the agency’s posters that went up downtown last week. “Congestion pricing could advance equity, lead to safer streets and clean the air.”
The posters invite people to take a survey by text message that asks for opinions on various congestion pricing plans being considered, the areas that would be covered and even for thoughts on how the money collected by the toll should be spent.
The survey asks people whether they have “any more feedback” to share about the plan, but does not ask straight out whether they are in favor of the idea.
Transit agency spokesman Eric Young said the “feedback” option affords people the opportunity to voice their objections or concerns.
“We also give them the opportunity to give us additional written feedback,” Young said
And there’s more: People who complete the survey are eligible to win one of 10 $25 Visa gift cards.
You can also hop on the authority’s website — www.sfcta.org — and play an online game called “Unclog Fog City.” Those who play are eligible to win one of 10 $100 Visa gift cards.
“It is true that congestion pricing has helped ease traffic in Singapore and London, but their outreach should be in a more neutral tone,” San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin said. “Ask people to come and learn the facts and comment instead of making it sound like the greatest thing since sliced bread.”
Young said there would be more input from community groups.
“We have reached no overall recommendations on pricing yet. This stage of the study is about education and considering multiple different options.”
The idea of congestion pricing has been kicking around for years, but with the backing of Mayor London Breed and others, the effort appears to be getting serious.
And so is the County Transportation Authority.
“The pandemic led to congestion largely disappearing in spring 2020 — but we are already starting to see it increase again,” its website states. “The future beyond the pandemic is uncertain, but San Francisco has been resilient in the past and without intervention we expect to see a return of congestion and its negative impacts. The work we do now can help us plan and prepare for the recovery.”
Any toll would need the approval of the Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom. He refused to do that last year when state lawmakers voted to support the city’s plan for a toll on San Francisco’s famously crooked Lombard Street to help manage tourist traffic backups.
Not everyone agrees with the timing.
“It seems a bit odd to move forward with a downtown congestion study during a pandemic recession which has driven most commuters and businesses out of downtown,” San Francisco Chamber of Commerce public policy director Jay Cheng said. “We should be cautious about proposing solutions to problems which may change significantly in the future.”
The study’s recommendations are scheduled to be presented to the County Transportation Authority board next spring.
San Francisco Chronicle columnist Phil Matier appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KGO-TV morning and evening news and can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email pmatier@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @philmatier
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