Commuters in the Greater Toronto Area Have Something to Smile About This March
March is shaping up to be a more pleasant month for commuters in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), especially for those who spend a significant amount of time driving during rush hour. The region is set to experience a couple of changes that could make their daily commutes less stressful and more affordable.
School Breaks and Highway Incentives
One of the key factors contributing to the anticipated ease in traffic during March is the upcoming March Break. This means that school buses will be off the roads for a week, potentially reducing congestion on major highways and arterial roads. Additionally, the 407 Express Toll Route (ETR), a major toll highway in the GTA, has announced a promotional offer that could save drivers some money. For the entire month of March, the 407 ETR will be free for certain drivers during specific rush hour periods. The free access will be available from Monday to Friday, during the morning rush hour from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM and the evening rush hour from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
Eligibility Criteria for the 407 ETR Promotion
While the offer sounds appealing, it’s important to understand who qualifies for this promotion. The 407 ETR has specified that only drivers of personal vehicles with Ontario license plates are eligible. This means that commercial vehicles, such as those with heavy vehicle transponders, will not benefit from this offer. The promotion is also only available to "targeted customers," a term defined by the 407 ETR, although the company has not provided further details on what specific criteria make a customer "targeted." Global News has reached out to the 407 ETR for clarification but did not receive a response prior to publication.
How to Take Advantage of the Promotion
For drivers who do qualify for the promotion, the process to take advantage of it is relatively straightforward. The 407 ETR has outlined that eligible customers need to either sign up for a My Account or agree to the My Account and Paperless Agreement before using their account for the first time. Trips taken during the promotional period will appear as promotional credits on customers’ bills, although it’s worth noting that transponder lease fees will still apply. This means that while the toll fees themselves may be waived during the specified rush hour periods, drivers will still incur the cost of leasing the transponder device.
Impact on Traffic and Commuters
The combination of the March Break and the 407 ETR promotion could have a noticeable impact on traffic in the GTA. With school buses off the road, there may be a slight reduction in traffic volume, which could make commuting slightly faster for some drivers. Additionally, the 407 ETR promotion may incentivize more drivers to use the toll highway during rush hour, potentially redistributing traffic across different routes and reducing congestion on other major highways like the 401 or 400.
Conclusion
Overall, March seems to be a month of mild relief for commuters in the GTA, thanks to the March Break reducing the number of vehicles on the road and the 407 ETR offering free tolls during rush hour for eligible drivers. While there are some restrictions and requirements to keep in mind, these changes could make commuting more manageable and cost-effective for many. As always, staying informed about traffic updates and taking advantage of available promotions can help make the daily commute less of a hassle.
