Paying it BACKWARD on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco

My "Pay it Forward" this week was a "Pay it Backward" at the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza this past Tuesday. So instead of flying through the FasTrak lane on the right hand side, I joined the masses waiting patiently at the tolls so I could pay for the unwitting passenger in the car behind me.

I have a (possibly misguided) theory about why drivers choose to wait in line and pay the daily toll instead of investing in a FasTrak. I believe these people fall into two camps. The first is too disorganized to get it together and order the FasTrak transponder and set the whole thing up. The second group doesn't have the cash-flow needed to put together the $40.00 reserve needed to start a FasTrak account. Like most American's, 50% of their income goes to housing and transportation, and they live paycheck-to-paycheck.

When I "Pay it Backward" I try to slide in front of someone who looks like they belong to the second group. If I mess it up and wind up in front of a Mercedes or Jaguar, I save the four bucks for another day. On Tuesday I had the good fortune of a rusty red Toyota Corolla tailing me. I could see two people in the front seats-- another good sign, since those who share a ride are possibly trying to save some bucks, or at least have an environmental conscience.

Toll booth operators usually do a double take when I pay for the car behind me. But my biggest thrill is is watching the car in my rear view mirror as it pauses at the booth. I like to imagine the confusion and surprise.

After I pay I often try to speed away and lose myself in traffic. I'm not sure why. I think for some reason I'm kind of embarrassed. I also like leaving the lucky driver (and me) with a sense of mystery.

On Tuesday I had no such luck. We had metering lights and everyone had to crawl along for the next ten minutes. This meant the driver and passenger got a look at me, and I got a look at them-- a young couple with broad faces and big smiles. They waved furiously at me all the way across the Bay.