Ontario will be continuing the trend of implementing tolls on provincial roadways.
As of Feb. 1, cars travelling along Highway 407 between Brock Rd. in Pickering and Harmony Rd. in Oshawa, which connects to Highway 412. This section of highway opened up in June and will now e subject to the same type of tolling as other areas of the 407.
The money will be used to fund new infrastructure and transit projects throughout the province. The rates will be less expensive than the 407 ETR — 15 per cent lower during off-peak periods and 30 per cent lower during peak periods. The rates themselves vary from depending on time of day day of the week, and type of vehicle, ranging from $0.19 to $0.87 per kilometre.
The government understands that in order for tolls to be truly accepted, they have to be easy to use. For drivers who already use a transponder for the 407 ETR, that same transponder can be used for these new roads. It will be sent to the household on a single invoice — however, the funds used will be specifically earmarked for transit and infrastructure and remain separate from the money collected through the ETR. The simplicity of this process proves how easy tolls can be to implement.
This announcement comes at a time where Toronto is considering tolling the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway. Hopefully it can prove to be a shinning example of what can be accomplished if drivers contribute to building more transit. The roadways should flow a lot smoother without the extra gridlock, and encourage the construction of modern transit.
The Transit Alliance expects good things to happen following the implementation of tolls on these specific roadways, and can’t wait to see what the money collected is used for.
