Transport: Bridge’s Birthday

Last week, San Francisco’s huge Golden Gate Bridge was one year old, and well into the red. In its first year the bridge showed an operating deficit of close to $235,000. Main reason: the Southern Pacific’s auto ferries shuttle cars across the Gate at 30¢ per trip. The bridge toll is 50¢. Last year the ferries made more than $50,000. Bridge officials have contrived a solution to their problem quite compatible with much new-style Alice in Wonderland economics. They appealed to the California Railroad Commission to force the ferries to raise their charge to 50¢. While waiting the Commission’s decision last week, the birthdaying bridge’s officials considered reducing their own rates, quickly rejected the idea.