TORONTO, Dec. 31, 2014 /CNW/ - 407 ETR announced toll and fee changes that will come into effect on February 1, 2015.

The Peak Period toll rate for light vehicles travelling in the Regular Zone, between the QEW (in Burlington) and Highway 410 and between Highway 427 and Brock Road (in Pickering), will be 30.56 cents per kilometre in the a.m. hours and 31.13 cents in the p.m. hours. The Peak Period is weekdays, from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Peak Hours toll rate for light vehicles travelling in the Regular Zone, between the QEW and Highway 410 and between Highway 427 and Brock Road, will be 34.13 cents per kilometre in the a.m. hours and 34.73 cents in the p.m. hours.   Peak Hours are weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Peak Period toll rate for light vehicles travelling in the Light Zone, between Highway 410 and Highway 427, will be 29.05 cents per kilometre in the a.m. hours and 29.59 cents in the p.m. hours. The Peak Period is weekdays, from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Peak Hours toll rate for light vehicles travelling in the Light Zone, between Highway 410 and Highway 427, will be 32.43 cents per kilometre in the a.m. hours and 33.01 cents per kilometre in the p.m. hours.   Peak Hours are weekdays, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Weekday Midday toll rate for light vehicles travelling any part of the highway will be 25.75 cents per kilometre.  The Midday toll rate applies to weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Weekend and Holiday Midday toll rate for light vehicles travelling any part of the highway will be 23.59 cents per kilometre.  The Weekend and Holiday Midday toll rate applies to Saturday, Sunday and Holidays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Off Peak Period toll rate for light vehicles travelling any part of the highway will be 19.74 cents per kilometre. Off Peak hours are weekdays, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays from 7 p.m. to 11 a.m.

407 ETR announced record traffic in the second and third quarter of 2014, and the opening of new lanes in 2014 demonstrates 407 ETR's ongoing commitment to excellence in highway construction and maintenance, traffic management and customer service.

"407 ETR saves drivers valuable time and continues to be the reliable choice for hundreds of thousands of trips each day that would otherwise be adding to the traffic on other area roads and highways," said Jose Tamariz, 407 ETR President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Investment in extension and expansion of the highway since 1999 has helped drivers reduce the environmental impact of driving, save on fuel, and reduce their vehicle maintenance costs while enjoying a fast, safe and reliable commute."                                                   

Since 1999, 407 ETR has invested over $1.4 billion to extend, expand and maintain the highway.  In addition to highway extensions to the east and west (40 kilometres), 407 ETR has added over 220 kilometres of new lanes since 2004. In 2014, 407 ETR opened another 16 kilometres of new lanes – one in each direction between Highway 400 and Highway 427.

The cost of all extensions and expansions, along with the cost of maintaining the highway and equipment, snow clearing, policing, and Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement has been done through tolls, without the use of any government funds whatsoever.

407 ETR continues to provide customers excellent service and account management options through its website, www.407etr.com. 407 ETR offers customers the environmentally friendly choice of paperless billing and also offers customers pre-authorized payment options.  407 ETR customers can save money by leasing a transponder on an annual basis. Trips made using a transponder are not charged a Video Toll Charge.  The annual lease rate for a transponder remains $21.50. A transponder pays for itself after only 6 trips per year on the highway.  In addition, the company is continuing its "no sign-up-required" ETR Rewards Program, that has already offered customers more than $100 million in free kilometres and fuel savings.

For details regarding toll rate changes for different vehicle types, times of day, sections of the highway, and other fee changes, please see the attached chart or visit www.407etr.com.

407 International Inc. is owned by Cintra Infaestructuras Internacional S.L., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrovial S. A. (43.23%), by indirectly owned subsidiaries of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (total 40%), and by SNC-Lavalin (16.77%).

2015 Toll Rates - February 1, 2015
(Prices in cents(¢)per Kilometre)

Changes to the 2015 Toll Rate Schedule include:

• The Monthly Transponder Lease Fee will be $3.55.
• The Monthly Video Account Fee will be $3.55.
• The Video Toll Charge for light vehicle customers without a transponder will be $4.00. 

The annual transponder lease fee remains $21.50. An additional transponder remains $1 per month.

A Trip Toll Charge applies to every trip on the highway based on vehicle size:

• Light Vehicles will be charged 90 cents per trip.
• Heavy Single Unit Vehicles will be charged $1.80 per trip.
• Heavy Multiple Unit Vehicles will be charged $2.70 per trip.

When the entry or exit of a vehicle is not recorded, a calculated toll will be applied. For details on calculated tolls please visit www.407etr.com. 

Effective February 1, 2015, 407 ETR may apply a Dormant Account Fee of up to $15 annually where an account has a credit balance for 3 years or more.   The fee is not retroactive and does not apply to any account with a credit balance prior to February 1, 2015. 

407 ETR may from time to time provide or offer discounts on tolls or other fees.

For a complete list of toll and fee changes, please visit www.407etr.com.

BACKGROUND

• Average daily workday trips have increased from about 237,000 in 1999, to over 380,000 in 2013.
• Total annual trips have increased from 71.9 million in 1999, to over 114 million in 2013.
• The number of transponders in circulation has increased from 346,371 with a user rate of 67% in 1999, to over 1,100,000 and a user rate of over 84% in 2013.
• Average length of a trip on the highway has increased from 17.75 km in 1999, to 20.52 km in 2013.
• Total vehicle kilometres travelled per year has increased from 1.275 billion in 1999, to 2.356 billion in 2013.
• The number and length of trips taken on 407 ETR and increased usage of transponders has happened alongside growth in development, extension of the highway in both the east and west, and the widening of 407 ETR by adding new lanes (over 220 lane kilometres since 2004).
• Extensions and expansions have been possible through 407 ETR investments of over $1.4 billion to keep traffic free flowing.
• Investments in safety initiatives, both on and off the road, have continued to provide customers a fast, safe and reliable trip. Safety events and sponsorships continue to demonstrate 407 ETR's commitment to its customers.
• 24/7 monitoring of the highway and conditions from 407 ETR's control room keep the highway safe and free-flowing – safety patrollers can assist drivers and call for emergency responders when needed.
• 407 ETR is barrier free – with no congestion causing toll plazas.
• Over $110 million has been invested to ensure excellent customer service. The average wait time when calling the 407 ETR Call Centre has been under 30 seconds for more than 8 years.
• 407 ETR is the winner of multiple Service Quality Measurement Group awards for Call Centre Excellence and Leadership, including, First Call Resolution (the industry's most vital indicator), and Best Practices. The 407 ETR Call Centre regularly has a large group of certified World Class Customer Service Representatives.
• Customers have many account options such as paperless billing and pre-authorized payment.
• 407 ETR continues to appreciate customer loyalty and has offered more than $100 million to customers as part of its "ETR Rewards" customer loyalty program.
• In addition to several national and international awards, 407 ETR was awarded the Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada first-ever New Canadian Commercial Technology/Innovation or Research and Development Award for its vehicle fingerprinting system. 
• The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators recently recognized the Highway 407 Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment with a Police Partnership Award for the achievements of the Highway Safety and Toll Compliance Committee.  407 ETR, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, and other Regional and Municipal partners work together with the OPP on the Committee to support many aspects of road safety and related research.

SOURCE 407 ETR Concession Company Limited