TORONTO, Ont. — It didn’t take long for the 407 ETR to announce a hike to its tolls following a Superior Court of Ontario decision that the company is not required to have the provincial government’s approval to change tolls or fees.

The Superior Court of Ontario decision upheld a previous independent arbitrator’s decision challenged by the province, which wanted a say in how much the toll route should be allowed to raise its rates.

Shortly after the decision the 407 ETR announced that light-vehicle tolls during peak hours will increase on February 7, 2005, by one cent per kilometre "so customers can continue to experience faster trips and the company can invest in more lane expansions and enhanced customer service."

The rates for heavy single unit vehicles (trucks) and heavy multiple unit vehicles (18-wheel trucks) remain at 29.90 cents per kilometre and 44.85 cents per kilometre, respectively. Off-peak rates for heavy single and heavy multiple vehicles are 28.20 cents per kilometre and 42.30 cents per kilometre, respectively.

407 International Inc. is the sole shareholder, operator and manager of 407 ETR, which extends 108 kilometres east-west, just north of Toronto. 407 International Inc. is owned by a consortium comprised of Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de Transporte, Macquarie Infrastructure Group and SNC-Lavalin.