Golden Gate Bridge loses toll-takers, goes electronic

 Electronic payments aren't only used by retailers. Government agencies are now adopting the systems to process bills, fees and even tolls. The Golden Gate Bridge is bidding farewell to toll-takers and adopting an all-electronic payment system for accepting tolls by February of next year, The San Jose Mercury News reports. The move to the new electronic mode is part of an effort to cut down on spending in a district facing a $66 million budget shortfall over the next five years. In fact, enabling electronic payments is projected to save the district $19 million in salaries and benefits over eight years, the newspaper explains, as the average base salary for toll-takers starts at $48,672. "It's where the industry is going, the technology is here, it's workable and doable," Mary Currie, bridge district spokeswoman, told the newspaper. "We anticipate seeing improvements in flow of traffic during our peak period of congestion." However, other locales such as Europe have experienced trouble in implementing an electronic toll service. The Parliament reports that the use of different toll payment contracts among destinations has made it difficult for drivers.