Once open to traffic, the new Port Mann Bridge will be subject to a toll in order to pay for the cost of building the bridge as well as the associated highway improvements from Langley to Vancouver. The toll will only be implemented once eight lanes on the new bridge are open to traffic, doubling the westbound capacity of the current bridge, and additional lanes are available to traffic on either side of the bridge. These improvements are expected to provide travel time savings as high as 30%.
OPEN ROAD TOLLING
The tolling system will use what is known as Open Road Tolling, which means that exhaust emissions from idling cars at toll booths are eliminated and bridge users don’t need to worry about exact change or delays. Instead of a traditional toll booth, the bridge will be equipped with an electronic system to identify vehicles crossing the bridge.
As part of the open road tolling system there will be a number of different methods available for paying the toll.
OPTION 1 – Tolling Sticker:
To use the tolling sticker payment method, bridge users will set up a personal account that includes a payment option such as a debit or credit card. You will receive a tolling sticker, at no charge, that you place on your vehicle's windshield. Electronic sensors will read your sticker each time you travel and tolls will be charged monthly to your account.
Port Mann tolling stickers will be available in a variety of ways. Users can order by phone for shipping or they will be able to pick one up from a variety of locations. Details will be available well before the new bridge opens to traffic.
OPTION 2 - License Plate Registration:
To use the licence plate registration payment method, bridge users will set up a personal account and register their vehicle license plate and preferred payment method such as a debit or credit card. With this option, toll system cameras will capture your license plate and tolls will be automatically charged to your credit or debit card each time you use the bridge.
Registration will be available online, by phone or in person at service centre locations. Details will be available well before the new bridge opens to traffic.
OPTION 3 - Pay-as-you-go:
Bridge users who prefer to use the pay as you go method will be able to pay before or after they travel using the tolling website, a self-serve kiosk, or by calling or visiting one of several service centres. A variety of payment locations and methods are currently under development and will be confirmed and available well before the new bridge opens to traffic.
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TOLL RATES AND DISCOUNTS
On opening day, the toll rates will be approximately:
| Cars |
$3 |
|---|
| Small Trucks |
$6 |
|---|
| Large Trucks |
$9 |
|---|
| Motorcycles |
$1.50 |
|---|
Tolling Discounts
To reduce congestion, a discount of 25 % will be offered during peak periods for registered carpools with two or more passengers and an overnight discount of 50% will be offered for large commercial vehicles.
In addition, special vehicles such as taxis, persons with disabilities, vanpools, first responders and transit vehicles will be exempt from tolls.
Late/Non Payment Administrative Charges
One of the key benefits of an open road tolling system is that customers can drive through without slowing down for toll booths. However, because people do not have to stop to pay while travelling, we have to identify convenient and cost-effective ways for people to pay before or after they travel and to ensure that everyone pays their fair share.
If a bridge user does not have an automatic payment account or does not pay promptly after crossing, TI Corp must then match the picture taken of the vehicle licence plate with the vehicle owner’s address through ICBC and issue an invoice. To ensure the system is fair to all users, the Port Mann Bridge tolling system is designed so that drivers who use the account registration method for automatic on time payment do not have to cover the additional costs associated with locating those who need to be sent a bill.
Accordingly, if you forget to pay and a bill has to be sent to you, you will be charged an additional fee for each trip, to cover costs associated with matching your license plate to your address. Although a final decision on the amount for the fee and the period of time considered an “on time payment” has yet to be made, the preliminary pricing framework requires payment within two full days of crossing the bridge, with an administration fee of $2.30 per trip if payment isn’t made within that timeframe. A final decision on the payment window and the amount of the administrative charge will be made in early 2012.
Vehicle Categories
Tolls will be assessed in four categories; motorcycles, cars, small truck and large truck.
A motorcycle is defined as a motor vehicle that runs on two or three wheels and has a saddle or seat for the driver to sit astride and does not have a trailer.
A car is defined as a motor vehicle that is less than 6 metres in length and is 2.3 metres or less in height.
A small truck is defined as:
- Car with a trailer;
- Motor Vehicle with two axle units that is six metres or more in length and is 2.3 metres more in height; and
- Motor Vehicle with three axle units that is less than eight metres in length.
A large truck is defined as:
- Truck tractor with one or more trailers;
- Motor bus or motor home that is eight metres or more in length;
- Motor Vehicle with three or more axle units that is eight metres or more in length;
- Small Truck with a trailer having a combined length of eight metres or more; and
- Motor Vehicle with four or more axle units.
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