BC Liberals Raising Unpopular Port Mann Bridge Tolls

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SURREY – Get ready to start paying more to cross the Port Mann Bridge as BC Liberals are raising the rate of an already unpopular toll, which many commuters have complained is an add-on tax for those living south of the Fraser River and whose only option is to cross the bridge to get to Vancouver.

Starting August 15, passenger vehicles, including pickup trucks and SUVs, will start paying $3.15 per crossing, up 15 cents, reported CTV news.

The fare hike will represent an increase of $109.50 per year for someone who crosses the bridge twice a day.

The cost for large trucks, including commercial trucks and motorhomes, has jumped from $9 to $9.45.

TI Corporation, the Crown corporation which manages the bridge, says the increase is required to keep up with the costs associated with operating and maintaining the project, and to repay the massive debt that remains after building the bridge. It is losing approximately $80 million each year.

“TReO’s toll rates need to increase from time to time to keep up with the cost of building, operating and maintaining the bridge and Highway 1 improvements,” a statement from TI reads.

The corporation says toll rates have been minimized since it began charging drivers, and the only other rate change is when the initial half-price rates expired in December 2013.