Quote:
Originally Posted by swimmer_spe
The 407, si about 20 cents a km. It works out to be about $25 for the entire way.
Tolls are fine, but that high, that is ridiculous.
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Most commuter highways in North America with tolls tend to be in that range - it's not outrageous by any means but definitely not cheap for a long trip.
If the 400 or 401 was tolled at that rate though, being the primary long-distance routes, you'd see a LOT more traffic on highways like 2, 7, 8, 10 and 12 - they would likely be badly congested end to end.
Tolls are a tricky subject. Routes of national or international importance generally should not be tolled. It may be unavoidable in certain circumstances due to the high costs (i.e. major bridges, tough widenings) but in those cases:
* A nearby, all-weather alternate route for at least small vehicles should be available (NO tolls would be permitted on routes with no alternate routes, i.e. most of Highway 17 in northern Ontario)
* Toll booths should be provided (although open road tolling should also be available)
* Tolls should be removed once the route is paid off (like with the Coquihalla)
For commuter routes, it is a different animal. In the GTA, highways like the 403 (through Mississauga), 404, 409, 410 and 427 (northern part), as well as the Gardiner and DVP, generally don't attract much in the way of long distance travel, but rather local commuters. Tolling them would be acceptable in my view (although certainly not for many others).
There should never be tolls on Highways 400, 401, 427 (southern part) or the QEW though as they are of national or international importance, not just regional importance, and they have no obvious high-cost reason for a toll like an expensive bridge.
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