Remove Ontario toll, subsidize trucks 401 spillover to 407

Durham residents are again calling for the removal of the provincial toll on Highway 407, upset over the recent hike in tariffs on the privately-owned section of the major Ontario artery.

This is the only 400 series highway owned by Ontario currently being tolled and is most unfair to the citizens of Durham Region, said Jim Ewen, a civil engineer by profession.

“I still request that unjustified tolls be removed from Highway 407 East,” he said in a letter to Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario Minister of Transportation.

407 ETR has announced 2025 rate schedule and introduced new toll zones and vehicle classifications.Instead of four zones across the entire 108 kilometres, there will be 12 with Pickering under 12. The changes come into effect on January 1.

The toll rate increase for light vehicles ranges from three to 14 cents per kilometre, depending on the time of day and zone travelled. In addition to new toll rates, fees are increasing for the first time in five years, including the camera charge, account fee and transponder lease fee. With the adjustment to tolls and fees, the majority of personal transponder customers can expect a monthly bill increase of about $8.

366% Rate Hike

“I am very upset about the more than 366 per cent hike in toll from ¢3 to ¢14 per kilometre,” said Sheena Amos, a teacher who travels every work day from Durham to her school in Unionville, and back.

“Highway 401 during morning hours is busy and there are delays with accidents almost every day. I take the 407 to reach the school on time and, at the end of the day, tired, I take the 407 to come back as quickly as I can,” she said.

“A hike of this magnitude is irresponsible and unjustified and I am not sure why the government has allowed such a staggering rise under current economic conditions,” Sheena said.

The Mike Harris government had sold Highway 407 in 1999 for $3.1 billion to a consortium that included SNC Lavalin, Quebec’s provincial pension fund, and Spanish company, Ferrovial. Shared ownership has changed hands many times since 1999.

Subsidize Truck Tolls

McEwen, in his letter to the minister, suggested that the ministry consider a 12-month pilot project of subsidizing trucking tolls on Highway 407.

We experienced another serious accident a few days ago on Highway 401 between a tractor trailer and passenger vehicle in Durham.

“Removing trucks on Highway 401 should be a priority of your government and potential solutions are available,” said McEwen.

He had written to the minister towards the end of last month too calling for the removal of the provincial toll on Highway 407 ETR East.

Paid for by Ontario Taxpayers

“This highway was paid for by Ontario taxpayers and should not be tolled in my respectful opinion.

“This stretch of road is the only government owned 400 series highway being tolled in Ontario. The new Bradford by-pass will be funded by Ontarians and not tolled. Clearly there is a valid case to remove tolls on Highway 407 East in my respectful opinion!” McEwen had said.