407 ETR raises rates again
TORONTO — Southern Ontario truckers can be sure of two things as they start hauling in the New Year: First, they’ll likely be battling some sort of Great Lakes snowstorm. And second, they’ll face a toll rate increase for using the province’s only private highway.
Like clockwork, the 407 ETR — a private consortium that bought the 108-km highway from the previous Conservative government in 1999 for $3.1 billion — announced a toll hike to start the year.
Starting February 1, 2006, truckers operating heavy tractor-trailer combinations will pay nearly 4 cents per km more — 48.75 a klick, up from 44.85 — during peak hours. Straight trucks will be charged 32.50, up from 29.90. During off-peak windows, heavy trucks will be charged 46.50 (up from 42.30), and straight trucks 31.00 cents (up from 28.20).
Light vehicle tolls during peak hours will increase by 1.3 cents per km.
The company also announced that, starting February 1, it would remove the $10 Transponder Activation Fee to encourage more customers to lease a transponder and save Video Toll Charges.
407 ETR says the toll increase will help the company invest in more lanes so customers can continue to experience faster trips. “Our customers want to avoid stop-and-go traffic and these changes will ensure 407 ETR keeps our customers moving,” said Enrique Díaz-Rato, president and CEO of 407 ETR.
The company adds that it has commenced the largest lane-widening project in the company’s history. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2006, the $90 million project will build 50 km of new lanes between Highways 427 and 404.
The Ontario Liberal government has been battling the private highway firm for years over control of tolls. However, the government has lost virtually every case it has brought to court.
Both judges and independent arbitrators have repeatedly ruled that 407 ETR has the right to raise tolls at its decision.
More recently, a judicial decision stated that the Registrar of Motor Vehicles could not refuse validation of vehicle permits for those who have failed to pay tolls and administrative fees owed to 407 ETR.
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