GUELPH, December 1, 2016 — Having facilitated Ontario’s only continuous mobility pricing conversation since 2008, Transport Futures (TF) applauds Toronto Mayor John Tory’s call for road tolls on the city’s Don Valley Parkway (DVP) and Gardiner Expressway.

“The Mayor’s bold leadership is perfectly timed since the provincial government is already testing High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes on the QEW between Oakville and Burlington”, says Martin Collier, TF founder. “We’re encouraged by the regional opportunity these initiatives present, though proposed flat toll fees must be replaced by fees that vary by time of day according to traffic demand.”

Assuming Toronto City Council supports Tory’s tolling recommendation, TF strongly advises the Province to create HOT Lanes on the entire length of Highway 427 (to Rutherford Road), on Highway 401 (between the 427 and DVP) as well as 404 and 400 between the 401 and 407 ETR. This combination of HOT and fully priced lanes would create a seamless toll network around Toronto that results in the following benefits:

• congestion reduction — for commuters and goods movement across the region;
• geographic equity – equity amongst drivers increases throughout the region as the number of tolled links increase;
• significant revenue raised for GTHA road and transit infrastructure — $500 million to $1 billion annually depending on price of toll);
• decreased automotive emissions — will help meet Ontario’s climate change and air quality targets.
• modal split — shifting trips from cars to sustainable modes that cut congestion, pollution and crashes while enhancing health;
• increased job opportunities — especially for those looking for work in transit, Intelligent Transportation Systems and Transportation Demand Management services (e.g Smart Commute).

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to solve the GTHA’s $6-billion gridlock challenge”, says Collier.

“Mayor Tory is leading the way on Toronto tolling. If city council votes with him and the province accelerates its HOT Lanes program, they’ll significantly improve the GTHA’s quality of life for current and future generations”.

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