407 ETR Rush Hour Promotion - Is the Province funding this?

[Boges]

This is very GTA-centric topic, but it's an interesting development in the Toronto traffic debate. A much more tangible solution than tunnelling under the 401. 

Since March the 407, the extraordinarily expensive toll road that crosses the top of the Toronto region, has offered customers free use during rush hour. 

I've just been informed my promotion now runs until the end of August. It only works for the rush-hour period in the morning and evening. But this is, by far, the most expensive time to use the highway. Using the 407 can save me up to 40 minutes from using the 401 during rush hour. 

I have to wonder if the province is footing the bill for this promo. And maybe it could become permanent. 

It makes sense, it only takes the pressure off the 401 during peak periods and only customers that rent transponders can take advantage of this promotion. It's better than the idea I've heard from people to allow large trucks to use the 407 for free. I still have to pay to use it during off-peak periods. 

The 407 is a dream to bypass traffic, but it's way to expensive for most drivers to use it regularly. I have to think this could be a decent fix for the GTA's traffic problems. 

Edited May 15, 2025 by Boges

[August1991]

On 5/15/2025 at 9:53 AM, Boges said:

....

I've just been informed my promotion now runs until the end of August. It only works for the rush-hour period in the morning and evening. But this is, by far, the most expensive time to use the highway. Using the 407 can save me up to 40 minutes from using the 401 during rush hour. 

I have to wonder if the province is footing the bill for this promo. And maybe it could become permanent. 

It makes sense, it only takes the pressure off the 401 during peak periods and only customers that rent transponders can take advantage of this promotion. It's better than the idea I've heard from people to allow large trucks to use the 407 for free. I still have to pay to use it during off-peak periods. 

.....

1. Once a year or so, I have to drive through Toronto. This 407 is a Godsend. I happily drive through the photo and pay the bill when it arrives.

2. I wish for such in Montreal. 

[TreeBeard]

In a big city like Toronto, there should be congestion pricing to dissuade drivers.   Free tolls highways during rush hour seems to just encourage traffic.  

[herbie]

Tried limiting single occupancy lanes there? 

[herbie]

I ask because in the Lower Mainland there's ONE high occupancy lane, mainly useless because there's always the old chickenshit fart going 85 instead of 100 and no way to legally pass. You need to wait until a break in the markings PLUS a gap in the passing lane of the main traffic and pass on the right.

And 50% of the main lanes are commercial traffic, no dedicated lanes for them.

Edited July 6, 2025 by herbie

[Boges]

On 7/5/2025 at 4:13 PM, herbie said:

Tried limiting single occupancy lanes there? 

There are HOV lanes on some highways. They usually fill up during peak periods as well as enforcement is tough. 

That being said, I drive an EV and EVs are allowed to use these lanes with single occupancy. It's a good reason to buy an EV. 

On 7/4/2025 at 7:14 PM, TreeBeard said:

In a big city like Toronto, there should be congestion pricing to dissuade drivers.   Free tolls highways during rush hour seems to just encourage traffic.  

They should. There's a reliable commuter rail system in and out of downtown Toronto. 

In this instance we're talking about a highway that goes through Toronto. Most people using it aren't going into Toronto, they're passing through Toronto. 

[LinkSoul60]

20 hours ago, herbie said:

I ask because in the Lower Mainland there's ONE high occupancy lane, mainly useless because there's always the old chickenshit fart going 85 instead of 100 and no way to legally pass. You need to wait until a break in the markings PLUS a gap in the passing lane of the main traffic and pass on the right.

And 50% of the main lanes are commercial traffic, no dedicated lanes for them.

Actually, there are 7 HOV lanes in the LM.  I live in the furthest southern part of the area so would mainly use 17A and 99 lanes but as you note, mainly useless.  Road infrastructure hasn't kept up with population growth south of the Fraser so too many cars on the road and HOV lanes seem to be just another lane for many with enforcement few and far between.

Toronto is different because of the number of people and cars on the road, but Vancouver albeit smaller is not too dissimilar because of the cost challenge the topography of rivers separating land areas creates.  End of the day we need less cars on the roads with a convenient and reliable mass transit system.

[Boges]

I've gone to using the 407 for commuting around 3 days a week at no extra cost for the tolls. 

You can tell the highway is busy but there's no gridlock. I've only had one instance where an accident caused a traffic related delay. 

The 407 has offered to continue to the program for me now until the end of November. It's at the point now that the province can't really afford to have my car back on the 401. 

 

[LinkSoul60]

11 minutes ago, Boges said:

I've gone to using the 407 for commuting around 3 days a week at no extra cost for the tolls. 

You can tell the highway is busy but there's no gridlock. I've only had one instance where an accident caused a traffic related delay. 

The 407 has offered to continue to the program for me now until the end of November. It's at the point now that the province can't really afford to have my car back on the 401. 

 

It's been give or take 4 years since I travelled the GTA on business but know the 407 was a dream compared to the 401.  Had to get a transponder in the rental car if I was on my own and even if I didn't expense, I'd have paid out of my own pocket for the time and convenience.  

I forget what the cost was or program you're referring to, but will you keep using and pay the toll if the program ends in November?   

[Boges]

3 minutes ago, LinkSoul60 said:

It's been give or take 4 years since I travelled the GTA on business but know the 407 was a dream compared to the 401.  Had to get a transponder in the rental car if I was on my own and even if I didn't expense, I'd have paid out of my own pocket for the time and convenience.  

I forget what the cost was or program you're referring to, but will you keep using and pay the toll if the program ends in November?   

No. These are individual programs the ETR offers to people they can tell are commuting. 

I get the offer sent to me via e-mail and I have to accept. And only the two license plates I have registered get the promotion. 

If I use it outside of rush hour, I still have to pay. 

This is only geared towards reducing rush hour traffic on toll-free routes. 

[LinkSoul60]

10 minutes ago, Boges said:

No. These are individual programs the ETR offers to people they can tell are commuting. 

I get the offer sent to me via e-mail and I have to accept. And only the two license plates I have registered get the promotion. 

If I use it outside of rush hour, I still have to pay. 

This is only geared towards reducing rush hour traffic on toll-free routes. 

Interesting...  Good business on their part (407 Int).  You know the time/cost benefits by driving during rush hour so more likely to use during non rush hour times given the habit of driving and perceived value of money saved during rush hour commutes.  

The GTA is a different animal altogether because of the population but all major cities need to find ways to get cars off the road and into mass transit as that keeps evolving.