![]() Surveys have shown that few Mackinac Bridge customers currently use other tolling transponders.Ĭustomers who already have a MacPass account can still use their cards through the end of 2020. More information on the MacPass is available on the MBA website at HHB Release NSURB APPROVES TOLL INCREASE FOR HALIFAX BRIDGES Current MacPass account holders do not need to open a new account to get a sticker. The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) has approved a toll increase that will allow Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB) to fund its 10-year capital plan and continue to provide safe, efficient and reliable cross‐harbour transportation for the next decade. ![]() The increase, which will take effect Jan. 3, 2022, will see the price for a passenger vehicle using MACPASS increase from $.80 to $1. The cost for a passenger vehicle using cash will go from $1 to $1.25. Commercial vehicles using cash or MacPass will see an increase of 25 per cent per axel.īus and Access-A-Bus traffic are exempt from the increase. “We have $280 million of work that needs to get done over the next ten years to extend the life of the MacKay Bridge and keep the Macdonald Bridge operating at peak efficiency.” “This is the first increase in a decade,” said HHB CEO and General Manager Steve Snider. HHB filed for the toll increase earlier this year and was granted a hearing in June. But there’s enabling legislation that needs to get passed.The 10-year plan was presented at the hearing with external engineering consultants verifying the need for the capital and rehabilitation work. “They’re on the record in saying that they’re supportive of us pursuing this. “The province is behind the initiative,” he said. Proctor is confident that the government is going to back the project. ![]() HHB is talking with the provincial government about the project’s next steps.ĭepartment of Public Works spokesperson Gary Andrea said the province is “aware of the request to amend legislation, and it is under consideration.” “That’s why we’re encouraging everybody to get a MacPass, which is free, it doesn’t cost anything, and makes the system a lot easier for everybody.” “The MacPass will always be cheaper than a system where we have to send an invoice, then another invoice if you don’t pay that,” said Proctor. While Proctor doesn’t know how much more the non-MacPass fare will be, he said that process will be a lot more labour intensive. “But that’s not really our biggest focus right now because that makes up a very small percentage of our traffic.” “If we get the reciprocal agreement with the provinces that we will, we’ll be able to send a bill out of province,” said Proctor. Proctor also said that HHB has “no way of tracking” somebody with an out-of-province licence plate, but there are preliminary discussions taking place with other jurisdictions. “We understand that’s certainly an issue that we’ll have to address, but we’re not there yet.” “We haven’t decided on any particular approach for that,” said Proctor. HHB is looking at options to police billing issues and delinquent accounts. If a commuter doesn’t have a MacPass, then the smart tolling system would read the licence plate of their car and send an invoice to their address. Steve Proctor, media manager for Halifax Harbour Bridges “Smart tolling is done in lots of parts across North America.” They won’t have to worry about the tolls going up. Proctor said that 80 per cent of those drivers already have a MacPass transponder that collects tolls. That’s five times the number of current students at Dalhousie University. “Smart tolling is done in lots of parts across North America,” said Steve Proctor, the Crown corporation’s media manager.Ībout 105,000 vehicles cross the bridges on an average workday. HHB will be implementing a smart tolling system, using cameras to scan vehicles as they cross the bridge. Halifax Harbour Bridges is trying to complete its long-planned toll booth removal project by mid-2025. Murray MacKay bridges will look different over the next two years. The Dartmouth approaches to the Angus L.
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