Atlantic bridge commission urges axle-based tolls; scrap token payment
DARTMOUTH, N.S. — Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge authorities want to change the registered GVW classification for commercial trucks to an axle-based classification system.
The Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission, which operates the Angus L. Macdonald and A. Murray MacKay Bridges, has submitted an application to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB).
The Commission has been using a registered GVW system to classify vehicles for tolling purposes since 1955 when the Macdonald Bridge opened. The move to axle-based classification requires that each vehicle pays for the number of axles in use at the time of each crossing. “In the tolling industry, this is considered to be more equitable than basing tolls on registered gross vehicle weight,” according to the Commission.
system, bridge authorities insist
“Axle-based classification will allow for automatic vehicle classification and would permit the Commission to develop express lanes on the MacKay Bridge toll plaza in the future,” says CEO Steve Snider, adding that axle-based tolling would align the Commission with other Maritime and most North American toll authorities.
The Commission’s application also requests to entirely eliminate tokens, which have been used as a toll payment method by the Commission since 1963. Very few toll authorities continue to use tokens, the Commission states.
Since the introduction of MACPASS in 1998, token usage has reduced from 62 percent of total traffic to 22 percent. Cash payments have also reduced from 38 percent to 27 percent of total traffic. Traffic volume in 2006 is expected to exceed 32 million vehicles.
Today, MACPASS represents over 50 percent of the Commission’s monthly traffic.
To assist in the transitioning from tokens to MACPASS, the Commission proposes to eliminate the $30.00 transponder deposit. Current MACPASS accounts will be credited $30.00 for each existing deposit.
“The elimination of tokens will increase MACPASS use and subsequently reduce toll plaza congestion,” says Snider. “As a result, safety will be improved, auto emissions will be reduced and overall the service provided by the Commission will be enhanced.”
These changes are requested to be effective early in 2008.
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