Higher toll fees and the death of free carpooling is one step closer to being a reality, folks. Alas.

"The Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Bay Area Toll Authority Oversight Committee this morning approved a recommendation to increase tolls for cars and other two-axle vehicles by $1 on six state-owned bridges in the region," reports CBS 5/BCN. "On the Bay Bridge, the toll will remain at $4 during off-peak travel hours, but increase to $6 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m."

And carpoolers would pay a reduced fee of $2.50. Ugh. Anyway, the Bay Area Toll Authority will vote on this come January 27.