TORONTO, Dec. 30, 2016 /CNW/ - 407 ETR announced toll and fee changes today that will come into effect on February 1, 2017.

407 ETR provides drivers with a fast, safe and reliable trip and continues to be a proven alternative to heavily burdened area roads and highways throughout the busiest part of the Greater Toronto Area.

Travel on Highway 407 ETR continues to increase. Drivers demonstrate the value of using the toll road as a way to save time and money by regularly setting new travel records. On June 30, 2016, another new one-day record was set when 493,532 trips were taken on the highway (the average number of workday trips in the second quarter was 422,411). This new record far surpasses the previous one-day traffic record of 469,185 set earlier.  There were over 121 million trips on the toll road in 2015, relieving traffic on other area roads and highways.

The new toll rate structure to take effect on February 1, 2017, accounts for differences in traffic during varying times of the day and days of the week.  The new format also accounts for those differences dependent on the direction of travel (eastbound or westbound) during certain times of the workday.

Drivers have come to rely upon Highway 407 ETR as a dependable means of ensuring they arrive at their destination safely.

"407 ETR drivers continue to make the best choice to save time and money and control their total cost of driving, and reduce their time in the car – all things that help improve our quality of our very busy lives," said Jose Tamariz, 407 ETR President & CEO.  "407 ETR has invested over $1.6 billion to both extend and expand the highway, adding more than 220 lane kms to serve drivers and keep travel times dependable."

Over 50% of 407 ETR drivers state they save between 20 and 60 minutes per trip by using 407 ETR and the time, fuel and vehicle maintenance savings achieved by using the road offsets some or most of their tolls. Drivers of 407 ETR avoid the traffic congestion on area roads and highways and also reduce the impact that slow moving and stop-and-go driving has on the environment.

All of the costs of operating the toll highway, including all extensions and expansions, maintenance, snow clearing, police and Ministry enforcement and the award winning customer service 407 ETR offers, both on and off the road, are paid for by revenue from tolls.  As a privately operated toll road, 407 ETR paid $3.1 billion to the Ontario government for the right to operate the highway with the condition that the Highway be both extended and expanded.  No driver/taxpayer dollars have contributed to the construction, expansion, extension or maintenance of Highway 407 ETR.  Tolls help ensure we control traffic congestion and provide all of our customers with a FAST, SAFE and RELIABLE trip and excellent customer service. 

Changes to the 2017 Toll Rate Schedule include:

• The Monthly Transponder Lease Fee will be $3.90.
• The Monthly Video Account Fee will be $3.90.
• The Camera Charge for light vehicle customers without a transponder will be $4.10.

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

The Trip Toll Charge, now shown on the front of the bill, is not a new charge.  The Trip Toll Charge was implemented in 2009 and applies to every trip on the highway based on vehicle size.  The Trip Toll Charge remains unchanged for 2017, as follows:

• 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.

Customers of 407 ETR recently received a detailed insert with their bill and/or an email describing how the new Highway 407 (east of Brock Road) and Highway 412 will function.  Current drivers of 407 ETR do not have to take any action to drive the new highways as the same transponder will be in use (no new transponder lease is required and there is no increase in the lease rate) and current customers will still receive only one bill which includes all of their Highway 407 ETR and Highway 407 (east of Brock Road) and Highway 412 charges.  Customers without transponders will only pay one camera charge no matter which of the three toll highways they travel.  Tolls on the new highways will be set by the Province of Ontario and the revenues retained by the Government.

Tolls on the Government's new Highway 407 (east of Brock Road) and Highway 412 are expected to be lower than Highway 407 ETR.  The cost of building the new toll highways and the cost of future expansion and ongoing maintenance, will continue to be paid from taxpayer funds.  The new highways provide services within very different geographic locations (with Highway 407 ETR being the tolled alternative to the busiest roads and highways in the Greater Toronto Area) and have varying amounts of traffic. 407 ETR will continue to evaluate tolls and fees for 407 ETR each year.

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.

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%).

Highway 407 ETR Tolls and Fees (effective February 1, 2017)

December 30, 2016
Background  - 407 ETR Announces 2017 Rate Schedule

• Average daily workday trips have increased from 237,000 in 1999, to over 399,000 in 2015.
• Total annual trips have increased from 71.9 million in 1999, to over 121 million in 2015.
• The number of transponders in circulation has increased from 346,371 with a user rate of 67% in 1999, to over 1,275,000 and a user rate of over 80% in 2015.
• Total vehicle kilometres travelled per year has increased from 1.275 billion in 1999, to 2.516 billion in 2015.
• 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.
• The company, along with its employees continue to support hospitals along the corridor, the United Way and participate in Environmental Stewardship opportunities by helping to plant trees and conserve sensitive lands.
• 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