TORONTO, Ont. — Trucknews.com has learned the province of Ontario has agreed to double the number of permits it will issue to fleets participating in its long combination vehicle (LCV) program from two permits per carrier to four.

New entrants into the program will be limited to two permits until they’ve demonstrated sufficient experience operating LCVs. The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) confirmed the changes to Trucknews.com.

David Bradley, CEO of the OTA told Trucknews.com there are currently 54 participating carriers in the Ontario LCV program and as many as 100 new entrants could be accepted this year.

The LCV program shuts down for the winter but will resume March 1.

“This means we could see more than 300 LCVs operating in Ontario this year from the current maximum number of 108,” Bradley said. “Looked at one way, that is a 200% increase. For the most part, the reaction we have received from carriers thus far has been positive and appreciative. I know that is not a universally held view. I can understand why someone, particularly if they have had experience with LCVs elsewhere, would prefer to have opened the doors wide open now. However, that was never really in the cards.”

Some carriers, already having invested heavily in LCV-configured equipment and driver training have been eager to see the program expanded more rapidly.

Bradley pointed out there are still issues involving the availability of emergency stop areas and the province has consistently indicated it prefers to take a controlled approach to growing the program.

“Politics is the art of the possible and since the LCV program has been a public-private partnership from the onset, OTA is accepting of this approach and working with MTO within these parameters,” Bradley said. “We will be working with MTO towards continued growth in future years.”