Has Ontario’s
one and only toll highway finally found its way out of the
headlines? After years of customer and voter ire, bad press and a
nasty battle with the provincial Liberal government, it appears the
407 toll road can now settle down and just make money. The
consortium that owns the electronic-pay turnpike successfully
thwarted the province in a series of court battles, and now the two
parties are acting chummy.
The Ministry of
Transportation (MTO) has been denying vehicle plate renewals to
those with unpaid tolls, independent arbitrators are available to
rule on payment disputes, and the 407 has hired a customer service
ombudsman. The post-litigation deal worked out by the province and
the highway operators will not erase general opposition to
pay-as-you-go driving, but I’m hoping that there will be no more
egregious billing screw-ups.
Despite
millions spent on new invoicing systems a few years ago, some people
-- including those who never used the 407 or worse, did not own a
car -- were still getting caught in unacceptable hassles over
erroneous bills. Now the principal Ontario chapter of the Canadian
Automobile Association reports that complaints from its members
about the highway are down “drastically.”
We’ll see what
happens now as over 13,000 licence plates are at risk of not being
renewed if their owners don’t pay off their toll debts. That means
people who don’t settle their outstanding 407 ETR toll amounts
before heading to the license office may be told they can’t renew
their plates. Just like unpaid parking tickets, you could be in for
an unhappy surprise if you don’t square things away. Already MTO has
collected over $2 million in back toll charges.
The 407 will
apparently notify deadbeat drivers by registered mail, or even
courier -- so “I didn’t get the bill.” ain’t going to cut it. If
someone has genuinely been mischarged, there are now several places
to turn for help, including new 407 ombudsman Denise Peltier and the
independent arbitrators.
With over
750,000 toll transponders in circulation, and an average 370,000
users a day, the 407 is still capable of errors. I’m cautiously
optimistic that enough failsafes are now in place to protect
drivers, but if you hear of someone who has faithfully gone through
the system and still been screwed, let me know.
I’m most
concerned about those unlucky enough to have bad info on file with
MTO, such as an incorrect address. Toll road spokesman Dale Albers
says the 407 makes considerable efforts to verify addresses, but is
dependent on the quality of provincial information.
New
developments that will affect a much greater number include a
Customer Benefit Program -- something like a frequent-flyer scheme
-- and a trucker discount. Trucking companies have apparently been
shunning the toll road to save money, and the province wants more
big vehicles to use the highway. Despite the fact that trucks cause
much greater wear and tear on pavement and concrete than
automobiles, the 407 has agreed to adjust some prices.
Right now, the
average user travels 20 kilometers. During rush periods -- when most
customers buy what the 407 is selling -- this translates to a base
toll charge for autos of $3.25. So many commuters flock to the
expressway that the firm has already added lanes to deal with
congestion. It’s hard to determine how often the road clogs up, but
the 407 has agreed with a provincial request to accelerate widening
from Hwy. 404 over to the 401 in Milton.
Studies are now
underway to extend the 407 all the way to Hwys. 35/115 east of the
GTA, although it is not clear who would operate the possible
extension. MTO is also looking at upgrading Hwy. 7 eastward from the
current end of the toll road in Pickering.
Ed Drass
Have a question
for the Traffic Guru? Contact him at
edrass@nationalpost.com