Highway Robbery: The push is on to tackle clearance practices, excessive tow fees

TORONTO, Ont. -- Guy Broderick couldn’t believe the towing invoice that appeared in front of him. The task seemed so simple. An APPS Transport truck only had to be towed a single exit down Highway 401. The clean-up involved nothing more than a bit of coolant that had spilled through a failing lower rad hose. The tow alone cost $2,531 – and that’s after Broderick negotiated a $1,000 discount. The coolant cleanup was billed at another $2,260, which included a $2,000 flat-rated “environmental” fee.

OTA to address Ontario Recovery Group

TORONTO, ON - The Ontario Recovery Group (ORG) has invited the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) to attend an upcoming meeting of their board to discuss roadside recovery practices and procedures. The OTA's recent campaign to help carrier members in managing heavy-duty recovery rates has resulted in OTA members submitting over 70 invoices, totalling over $700,000 in billing, for the OTA to review. In addition, heavy-duty recovery rates have become of interest to enforcement officials, insurance brokers, and the heavy-duty tow recovery industry.