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Do you reimburse staff for using the 407 ETR? Rates are set to jump on Feb. 1

Employers in the Greater Toronto Area who reimburse staff who use the 407 ETR toll highway can expect to see higher expense reports starting in February 2024.

Rates are set to jump from one cent to 11 cents per kilometre driven, depending on the time of day and the section of highway.

The 407 ETR has announced the end of a four-year rate freeze with a new schedule that comes into effect on Feb. 1, 2024. The rates have been unchanged since February 2020, when they were frozen as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. The company said traffic levels on the highway have continued to stabilize with more workers resuming regular activities like commuting to and from work.

“407 ETR remains committed to providing the exceptional service we’re known for both on and off the road,” said 407 ETR President and CEO, Javier Tamargo. “Since 1999, traffic on the highway has grown by over 70 per cent. Ontarians continue to recognize the value of a safe, fast and reliable commute.”

The company said the “majority” of its personal customers will see monthly bill increases of “less than $5.” It said that, since it took over ownership of the highway in 1999, it has almost doubled its length — increasing it from 56 kilometres to 108 kilometres.

Highway 407 ETR per kilometre toll rates for light vehicles effective Feb. 1, 2024 (CNW Group/407 ETR Concession Company Limited)

The highway said it is “majority Canadian owned” and it employs more than 500 workers in Ontario. There are currently 1.7 million transponders in circulation. It said it benchmarks its rates against public and private toll roads in North America.

“When you compare peak toll charges, 407 ETR sits in the bottom half of its peers, behind Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Miami,” it said. 

407 ETR benchmarks its toll rates against other publicly and privately-operated toll roads and managed lanes across North America. When you compare peak toll charges, 407 ETR sits in the bottom half of peers, behind Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Miami (CNW Group/407 ETR Concession Company Limited)