TORONTO, Dec. 31, 2015 /CNW/ - 407 ETR announced toll and fee changes that will come into effect on February 1, 2016.

The Peak Period toll rate for light vehicles travelling in the Regular Zones, between the QEW (in Burlington) and Highway 401 and between Highway 427 and Highway 404, will be 33 cents per kilometre in the a.m. hours and 34.24 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 401 and between Highway 427 and Highway 404, will be 37.54 cents per kilometre in     the a.m. hours and 38.90 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 Zones, between Highway 401 and Highway 427 and between Highway 404 and Brock Road, will be 31.37 cents per kilometre in the a.m. hours and 32.55 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 Zones, between Highway 401 and Highway 427 and between Highway 404 and Brock Road, will be 35.67 cents per kilometre in the a.m. hours and 36.97 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 28.33 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 25.95 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 21.62 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.

Extension and expansion of the highway since opening in 1999 has shown 407 ETR's ongoing commitment to excellence in highway construction and maintenance, traffic management and customer service.   

"Customers continue to tell us that 407 ETR saves them valuable time and money," said Jose Tamariz, 407 ETR President and Chief Executive Officer.   "Significant ongoing investments in the highway have maintained the predictability of commuting times on 407 ETR and made the highway the reliable choice for hundreds of thousands of trips each day, reducing traffic on other area roads and highways."

Since 1999, 407 ETR has invested over $1.6 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.

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 billed a Camera Charge.  The annual lease rate for a transponder will be $23.50. 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 Global Holding Limited, 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%).

For more information, contact:  

Kevin Sack [ksack@407etr.com]
Vice President
Marketing, Communications and Government Relations
Tel: 905-264-5374

2016 Toll Rates - February 1, 2016
(Prices in cents(¢)per Kilometre)

Changes to the 2016 Toll Rate Schedule include:

• The Monthly Transponder Lease Fee will be $3.75.
• The Monthly Video Account Fee will be $3.75.
• The Camera Charge for light vehicle customers without a transponder will be $4.05.

The annual transponder lease fee will be $23.50. An additional transponder remains $9.95 per year, leased annually or $1 monthly.

A Trip Toll Charge (implemented in 2009) applies to every trip on the highway based on vehicle size:

• Light Vehicles will be charged $1.00 per trip.
• Heavy Single Unit Vehicles will be charged $2.00 per trip.
• Heavy Multiple Unit Vehicles will be charged $3.00 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. 

The Dormant Account Fee became effective on February 1^st of 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 390,000 in 2014.
• Total annual trips have increased from 71.9 million in 1999, to over 118 million in 2014.
• The number of transponders in circulation has increased from 346,371 with a user rate of 67% in 1999, to over 1,200,000 and a user rate of over 82% in 2014.
• Average length of a trip on the highway has increased from 17.75 km in 1999, to 20.62 km in 2014.
• Total vehicle kilometres travelled per year has increased from 1.275 billion in 1999, to 2.436 billion in 2014.
• 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 $1.6 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.
• 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