Ontario’s Highway 407 ETR will extend complimentary travel to certain drivers on the route during rush hours for the entire month of March, the consortium that owns the road has announced.
The “Spring Into Free Rush Hour” promotion will continue until March 31, The 407 Express Toll Route (ETR) said in a press release. The offer applies to travel during the hours of 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
The March rush hour deal is valid on the privately owned section of Highway 407 running from the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) highway in Burlington to Brock Road in Pickering.
All “targeted customers” received an emailed postcard from the 407 ETR last month explaining the offer, the company said. Drivers who registered for a 407 ETR account and enrolled in the promotion by Feb. 28 will be given “unlimited travel” on the tolled highway during the specified periods.
“This credit will cover toll charges, trip toll charges, camera charges, and applicable account fees incurred during the Promotion Period,” the company said, noting that transponder lease fees will continue to apply for those who lease a transponder.
Heavy vehicle transponders are not eligible for the offer but other drivers who missed out this time could be eligible for future promotions, the company said. Motorists must have an account and an up-to-date email address to qualify for a driving offer.
The 407 was sold by the Ontario government in 1999 for $3.1 billion to a consortium that included SNC Lavalin, the pension fund of Quebec, and the Spanish company Ferrovial. The move by the Progressive Conservative government led by Mike Harris was seen as a way to deal with major budget constraints at the time.
The tolled highway is currently owned by 407 International Inc. which is made up of three main shareholders. The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board currently owns 50.01 percent of 407 ETR, Cintra owns 43.23 percent, and AtkinsRéalis, formerly SNC Lavalin, owns 6.76 percent.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has said he is considering buying back the privately owned section of Highway 407 or paying for trucks to travel on it to clear gridlock on Highway 401 throughout the Toronto area.
A decision won’t be made on purchasing Highway 407 until a feasibility study into road projects in the area is complete, Ford said during an October press conference.
The province currently owns a 22-kilometre stretch of the 407 East, which offers a significantly cheaper toll rate than the private portion of the highway.
