Bridge commission looking to raise rates
Posted Jul 5, 2010 02:00:57 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
If the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission has its way it will cost more to cross the harbour bridges.
The commission made an application to the UARB on Monday to increase cash and Macpass fares by early 2011.
Bridge commission CEO Steve Snider explains their request.
“[We’re looking for] an increase of 20 cents for automobiles, for Macpass users,” he said. “And a 25 cent increase for cash payers for automobiles.”
That would make it 80 cents per crossing for Macpassers and a dollar for motorists using cash.
This news comes after an HST increase and Nova Scotia Power’s planned 12 percent hike in residential power rates.
Snider knows there will be some unhappy people.
“I understand that people don’t want to pay more,” he said. “Times are tough.”
He says the commission needs the extra revenue for bridge redecking on the MacDonald.
The increase would add an extra two dollars for someone making 10 trips a week.
The last time there was a toll increase for automobiles was 1992.
The commission is hoping for a hearing on the rate hike in the fall.
