Canada Hwy 407 Question....

[lizzytizzy]

Hi, I was wondering if anybody can help me. We went to Toronto in July and went on Hwy 407, not realizing that it was a toll route and that the bill would be in the mail. Well, I got the bill today totalling $38.46 for 3 tolls. Toll includes video toll charges, account fees and GST/HST fees. With the exception of GST/HST and toll charges, do I have to pay the video toll charge and account fee? It's kind of steep. I thought I read somewhere that I don't have to pay the video toll charges and account fee. Is that true? Thanks!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I'm kind of surprised that you didn't realize it was a toll highway, because there are LOTS of signs at every exit.

I think you can make a case that you shouldn't have to pay those extra fees because, as a visitor to Canada, you wouldn't have been able to get a transponder. I looked on the website, and all it says is that US drivers have to pay the charges. I think it's worth contacting them, though, and asking.

TP

 

[lizzytizzy]

I'm kind of surprised that you didn't realize it was a toll highway, because there are LOTS of signs at every exit.

I think you can make a case that you shouldn't have to pay those extra fees because, as a visitor to Canada, you wouldn't have been able to get a transponder. I looked on the website, and all it says is that US drivers have to pay the charges. I think it's worth contacting them, though, and asking.

TP

I didn't see the signs at the exit. We didn't realize there was a sign until we were driving on it. Turns out we got charged 3 separate days on 3 different roads. It was during those times when I got fed up with local traffic and decided to jump on the highways. . Traffic in Canada is a nightmare!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I wouldn't say traffic in CANADA as a country is a nightmare! We have plenty of small towns with little traffic.

But going through Toronto, yes, definitely. I hate it.

I actually think you may be able to get out of the HST charges, as a US citizen.

TP

 

[YukiPhnx]

HWY 407 isn't even in Toronto. It's part of York Region. HWY 7 in particular is a nightmare because of all the construction.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Here's the part of the website that mentions out-of-province drivers:

http://www.407etr.com/tolls/out-of-province.html

Sounds like you do need to pay all the fees, unfortunately.

TP

 

[Gigi22]

The website for Highway 407 http://www.407etr.com has a lot of useful information, including contact information for the Ombudsman. Don't delay in following up on this, the FAQ states that payments that are 90 days overdue are turned over to a collection agency.

 

[lizzytizzy]

Thank you!

 

[chevblazer02]

Same thing happened to us heading to Toronto last summer. Being from out of the area we just followed where the GPS was telling what lane to be in and of course some how missed any sign until we saw the "EZ Pass" (what they are called in NYS) readers as we drove under them......we just paid whatever the toll was figured it would be easier.....

 

[lizzytizzy]

Same thing happened to us heading to Toronto last summer. Being from out of the area we just followed where the GPS was telling what lane to be in and of course some how missed any sign until we saw the "EZ Pass" (what they are called in NYS) readers as we drove under them......we just paid whatever the toll was figured it would be easier.....

That's exactly what happened to me! I was playing with the GPS and went local figuring I could see more of the city. I got fed up with the traffic and decided to go on the highway using the GPS. We didn't see any signs until we saw "EZ Pass" and said oh, oh. We were supposed to arrive at our destination in 20 minutes. With local traffic, we got there in 2 hours. After that nightmare, we decided to go on the highway. It's better than getting aggravated. But, I LOVE Canada!

 

[MonkersMama]

I will pay all-day-long to drive the 407 up to my sister's house rather than the 401! It takes a fraction of the time and no aggravation on the toll road.

 

[bdoyledimou]

the 407 is the most expensive toll highway in the world at 25 cents per KM, or about 75 cents per mile!!!

Plus video toll fee, and a trip fee -- even if you HAVE a transponder.
And they dont send your bill to collection agencies -- they have an agreement with all provinces and states to hold back license and plate renewals if you are delqinent. thats right -- they use the gov't as a collection agency!

Back in 2005, i was driving that highway 2 times a day from east to west, and west to east. from one end to the other -- my toll bill was $800 a month!

 

[OntFamily]

the 407 is the most expensive toll highway in the world at 25 cents per KM, or about 75 cents per mile!!!

Plus video toll fee, and a trip fee -- even if you HAVE a transponder.
And they dont send your bill to collection agencies -- they have an agreement with all provinces and states to hold back license and plate renewals if you are delqinent. thats right -- they use the gov't as a collection agency!

Back in 2005, i was driving that highway 2 times a day from east to west, and west to east. from one end to the other -- my toll bill was $800 a month!

407 can only deny plate renewal in Ontario (and even that is only because a previous Ont gov't signed a bad deal which we are stuck with for 90 more years). All other areas in which the 407 invoices, they can only use a collection agency.

Also, just so you don't scare our American friends. The cost per mile is $0.39 per mile at peak times, $0.31 per mile off peak. Still, extremely expensive, but lower than $0.75 per mile.

 

[snowy76]

DH just got a bill for using the 407... I was ready to tear into him about blowing off the toll booths until I went online and read up on the system used on the 407. He was in Brampton for less than 2 days and I thought the toll couldn't be right. Now I know why we had such sticker shock!