407 Rant

[Gr8Stang]

$45.76. That's what its costing me round trip to get myself to/from work. Thankfully I've got a mostly work from home gig.

Did the math, and if I had to take it mon-fri, for a full year, that would be almost $11 grand!!!

Yes, it is a shorter trip (vs. 401), but the price is quickly getting out of reach for most, save those that get to write off/expense it.

Only bright spot, was a recent "exclusive" offer that was made to me by them.....offering a flat $60/month if I get on between 7-9:30 am. and 3:30 & 6 pm. Probably because I sent them a nice letter explaining how costly their highway is and how its becoming out of reach for many to use (despite all their ads/radio commercials promoting the benefits, i.e. reduced time). I can't argue that it doesn't save time, because it does for me....but $11,000.00 for that time savings? No way Hosea!

And with Canada and teachers pensions both with significant shares in the company, and about 70+ years left on what is apparently iron clad lease contract, the only way anything *might* happen is to see a large reduction in users. I'd love to know what the penalty is to break the lease...…

I can't wait for the soon to come day when I can take their transponder and give it back to them....with a nice note attached.

Rant off.

[JZ67]

The cost to use this highway is offside. I was in Indiana a couple of months ago and used their toll route. I did a distance of about 80 miles and my cost was $2.95. No video toll fees just a nice lady in a toll booth that took my money.

[Gr8Stang]

The cost to use this highway is offside. I was in Indiana a couple of months ago and used their toll route. I did a distance of about 80 miles and my cost was $2.95. No video toll fees just a nice lady in a toll booth that took my money.

Yep, the U.S. tolls are at the opposite end of the scale......lucky Americans in that respect. I have to wonder where we would be at now if the Harris government hadn't sold it.

[bbriann]

Yep, the U.S. tolls are at the opposite end of the scale......lucky Americans in that respect. I have to wonder where we would be at now if the Harris government hadn't sold it.

Yes in USA toll roads are so cheap.
Last one I was on I was driving for like 45 minutes and cost like 3 dollars when I exited..no kidding

[R3troGT]

Yep, the U.S. tolls are at the opposite end of the scale......lucky Americans in that respect. I have to wonder where we would be at now if the Harris government hadn't sold it.

If the Harris government had not leased (not sold) it, then Mc Skinty or Winbag would have done so in a heart beat.

[Gr8Stang]

If the Harris government had not leased (not sold) it, then Mc Skinty or Winbag would have done so in a heart beat.

Yes very likely.....because ALL elected parties are after just one thing; maintaining their power. They don't think about their short sighted decisions (in this case, I believe Harris wanted to balance the books). I'd like to a law instituted whereby the government in power can't sell something valued more then $1B without getting the publics ok.....hold a vote/referendum.

[92redragtop]

Yes very likely.....because ALL elected parties are after just one thing; maintaining their power. They don't think about their short sighted decisions (in this case, I believe Harris wanted to balance the books). I'd like to a law instituted whereby the government in power can't sell something valued more then $1B without getting the publics ok.....hold a vote/referendum.

I haven't seen the business case or DCF analysis that was done on this so not sure if the bird in hand was worth more than the future birds to be received - the debt paydown opportunity after the Rae government probably looked attractive and may or may not have been worth more than the discounted future cash flows but if it was, they should have built consumer price protections into the contract....plus they likely under-priced it.

[Mellow Yellow]

I can not understand how using this highway for commuting is beneficial.
For me though I only use it once every three or four months. As I haven’t driven in 401/Toronto traffic for decades I find that drive very frustrating. I get on near Milton to 115 to Peterborough and on way home 115 to 403 in Burlington.

[Gr8Stang]

I can not understand how using this highway for commuting is beneficial.
For me though I only use it once every three or four months. As I haven’t driven in 401/Toronto traffic for decades I find that drive very frustrating. I get on near Milton to 115 to Peterborough and on way home 115 to 403 in Burlington.

That's a long way. How much does that cost you (Milton to 115)?

[Mellow Yellow]

That's a long way. How much does that cost you (Milton to 115)?

Just got the bill last week. The whole two way trip was $94.75, including $16.80 in camera charges. I don't use it enough to get a transponder.There is a trip charge of $3.00 ($1 x 3). I did get off near North York to have lunch with my son. The actual toll charges were $71.00. The bill is for the 407ETR and the 407 (provincially owned, I think).