‘I think it sucks’: Pending bridge toll hike annoys drivers
Posted Jan 28, 2011 05:00:34 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It stinks, but there’s nothing you can do about it.
Drivers in HRM are bitterly resigned to paying more to cross the harbour bridges this spring.
The Utility and Review Board has approved a request from Halifax Harbour Bridges to raise the cash tolls by 25 cents to $1 each way as of April 1. MacPass fees will go up by 10 cents on April 1 and by another 10 cents on April 2012 to a total of 80 cents each way.
It doesn’t sound like a catastrophic increase, but drivers who use the bridges every day say it adds up.
“Every day, twice a day, it is an added cost,” said one bridge user after hearing about the ruling.
“I do use the bridge a lot, a couple times a day sometimes,” said another woman. “I’m not thrilled about it.”
“I think it sucks,” said another man. “Everything goes up, except our wages.”
Bridge users also agree it was bound to happen at some point – and not everyone is completely opposed to the hike.
“I don’t have a problem with the increase in the pricing,” said one woman. “I’d just like to see the money that’s collected go to the bridge commission to get rid of the debt for the bridge.”
Halifax Harbour Bridges officials say the increased revenue will be used to pay for the re-decking of the MacDonald bridge, scheduled to begin in three years.
