Drivers Exploiting Carpool Lane On Golden Gate Bridge

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Officials say drivers are exploiting a glitch in the Golden Gate Bridge's transition from human toll takers to an all-electronic system.

The Marin Independent Journal reports that many drivers are giving themselves toll discounts by using the carpool lane reserved for cars with at least 3 riders.

The toll for the carpool lane is $3 -- it's $5 for people using FasTrak transponders and $6 for those who pay by mail.

Human toll takers used to take a head count of riders in the cars using the carpool lane, but the electronic system doesn't.

Bridge officials say they relied on an honor system for the carpool lane, but are now asking the California Highway Patrol for help catching the cheaters.

A carpool lane violation comes with a $465 fine.