TORONTO, Ont. — It’s going to be about 12 per cent more expensive to use the 407 ETR during peak periods starting next month.

Tolls are going up Feb. 1 about 1.5 cents per kilometre “to help fund lane expansions and other highway improvements” according to a news release issued by 407 ETR on Dec. 31.

“More people are picking up their children from daycare on time, arriving at the bank before it closes or simply getting home sooner by using 407 ETR, says Jose Maria Lopez de Fuentes, president and chief executive officer of 407 International Inc. “These changes are necessary to ensure those benefits are still there for our customers when they choose to use the highway.”

Peak-hour tolls for heavy trucks are increasing to 25.9 cents per kilometre, and the toll for transports is increasing to 38.85 cents per kilometre. The new light-vehicle toll will be 12.95 cents per kilometre during rush-hour periods. Peak hours on the 407 ETR are weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m., and 3 to 7 p.m.

As an incentive to use the toll highway in off-peak hours, the 407 ETR is reintroducing lower tolls during non rush-hour periods. They will be 24.2 cents per kilometre for heavy trucks, 36.3 cents per kilometre for transports and 12.1 cents per kilometre for cars and other light vehicles. Off-peak hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and overnight from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.