Truckers stuck with last-minute shopping for N.B. transponders

FREDERICTON, N.B. — Toll-collection transponders for the new Fredericton-to-Moncton toll highway go on sale Dec. 15, a mere two-and-a-half weeks before the Jan. 4 opening of a section between River Glade and Moncton.

The E-Trans transponder will cost about $40 for commercial vehicles and $30 for passenger cars, according to Maritime Road Development Corp., New Brunswick’s private-sector partner on the project.

The timing gives truckers a narrow window of opportunity acquire transponders, open accounts with MRDC, and try to negotiate last-minute toll-related rated rate adjustments with shippers.

“In all likelihood, you’re going to see traffic jams at the toll booths come Jan. 4 because people didn’t have enough time to get their transponders,” said Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association executive director Ralph Boyd.

“It’s just another example of the province and Maritime Road Development Corp. misreading what the trucking industry and the motoring public need in order to make the system work effectively.

“As a result, they may be compromising safety because of logjams at the toll plazas.”

Transponders will be available from the MRDC’s office in Fredericton; when the River Glade toll plaza opens near Moncton on Jan. 4, transponders will also be sold there.

Commercial users also must buy $50 worth of credit when they purchase a transponder; the charge for passenger vehicle users is $25. As the vehicle passes through a toll plaza, an electronic system automatically deducts the appropriate toll amount from the remaining credits on the transponder.

The toll on the 23-kilometre River Glade to Moncton section will be 75 cents for cars and $2.75 for a five-axle truck. Next fall, the fees will jump to $1 and $3.25, respectively.

When all 195 kilometres of Hwy. 2 open in 2001, the one-way rate from from Longs Creek to Moncton will be $6.75 for passenger vehicles and $22.75 for a five-axle truck, $27.50 for a six-axle truck.

Provincial Finance Minister Edmond Blanchard has said that future tolls will only be increased once a year and will be limited to 90% of the increase in the cost of living.

The price of a transponder will remain stable until Nov. 30, 2002.

The toll-free number for more information on transponders or other details about the project is 1-800-494-9393.