TOLL rates are being jacked up from August 15:
Motorcycles: $1.60
Small vehicles (cars, pickup trucks, SUVs): $3.15
Medium vehicles (cube vans, cars with trailers): $6.30
Large vehicles (commercial trucks, motorbus, motorhomes): $9.45
The Transportation Investment Corp., which operates the bridge, says: “Like any utility or service provider, 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.”
It notes: “TReO’s parent company, TI Corp, is the public Crown corporation responsible for building, operating and maintaining the Port Mann / Highway 1 Project. TI Corp’s mandate is to repay the project debt using the toll revenue collected. The toll only exists to pay for the bridge and highway improvement project.”
It says: “Rates have been minimized since the start of tolling. The only other time rates have changed was when the half-price introductory rate expired in December 2013. As a public agency, TI Corp isn’t increasing tolls to create a profit. Any increases are limited to the amount necessary to keep up with costs and meet its obligations to pay for the project.”
Regarding why rates on the Golden Ears Bridge and Port Mann Bridge are different, “ it explains: “The Golden Ears Bridge is owned and operated by TransLink and sets its own toll rates. If you currently receive a combined bill for travel on both bridges, please be aware that the Golden Ears Bridge rates have recently changed.”
Additional fees for failing to pay or having insufficient funds in your bank account will remain the same.
If you’re an HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) driver, you’ll continue to receive a 25% discount during peak periods (Monday to Friday, from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m., and 4 to 6 p.m.). Truck drivers will also continue to receive a 50% discount when travelling between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Monthly pass holders will still be able to benefit from an unlimited monthly pass over the Port Mann Bridge. The new rates:
$80 / month for a motorcycle
$155 / month for a small vehicle
$315 / month for a medium vehicle