VANCOUVER- Commuters and families will benefit with tolls on the new Port Mann Bridge starting at $1.50 for passenger vehicles when tolling begins this December - 50 per cent less than the originally planned toll rate, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak announced today.

Once completed, the new Port Mann Bridge will eliminate the worst traffic bottleneck in British Columbia, reducing commute times by up to 50 per cent and saving drivers as much as an hour per day to spend with their families. The tolling framework reflects the needs of Lower Mainland commuters by ensuring the convenience of the new bridge is affordable for families while covering construction costs and maintenance in the long term.

Drivers who register for a free windshield decal and tolling account by Feb. 28, 2013 will be guaranteed the half-price introductory toll rate for the first year. As a further incentive to register, drivers who sign up before Nov. 30, 2012 will receive a $30 credit on their account, equivalent to 20 free trips for passenger vehicles.

Registered users will also be eligible for various discounts and incentives, including a 25-per-cent discount during peak hours for HOV users, resulting in a reduced rate of $1.13.

The introductory toll rate, $30 credit and other discounts provide an incentive for drivers to register for a free tolling account.

Registered accounts help Transportation Investment Corporation (TI Corp), the Provincial Crown corporation overseeing the project, to operate a lean, efficient tolling system, reducing the number of invoices mailed and associated administration costs. This keeps operating costs low, which in turn keeps tolls low.

The introductory toll rate also recognizes that while travel times will be significantly reduced in December, construction along the highway will continue through 2013. Construction of the South Fraser Perimeter Road, the un-tolled alternative to the Port Mann Bridge, will also continue through 2013. The Perimeter Road will connect to the Pattullo Bridge by December, and will be complete and connected to the Alex Fraser Bridge and Massey Tunnel by late 2013.

Opening the new bridge to traffic in December will complete the first and largest phase of the project, which includes opening eight lanes on the new bridge, widening the highway and rebuilding three interchanges between 160 Street in Surrey and Cape Horn in Coquitlam.

This is the largest transportation project in B.C. history and government is delivering on its commitment to reduce congestion along the province's busiest transportation corridor. These improvements will remove the traffic bottleneck and eliminate the 14 hours a day of congestion currently plaguing bridge users.

TI Corp Chief Executive Officer Mike Proudfoot introduced the new TReO - Easy, Electronic and Efficient - toll system, the best way to cross the new Port Mann Bridge. TReO will be the public's point of contact for tolling registration, account management, toll payment, and all customer service needs.

TReO account holders will experience the maximum benefits available to bridge users, including the lowest toll rate, access to all available discounts and easy on-line account management. Drivers who register for a decal by Feb. 28, 2013 will be able to lock in the reduced rate for a full year. Drivers who do not register by Feb. 28, or instead choose the pay-as-you-go option will have their toll rates increase to $3.00 on March 1, 2013.

TReO's services are available in six languages online at www.treo.ca, by phone at 604-516-TReO (8736), or in person at the Coquitlam and Surrey Service Centres located at either end of the Port Mann Bridge. TReO opens for registration on Sept. 17.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Mary Polak -

"The new Port Mann Bridge will open in just a few short months, and when it does, drivers will be able to cut their commutes in half. Some drivers will have an extra hour a day to spend time with family and friends, rather than wasting their days in traffic.

"The tolling framework recognizes the need for the new bridge to be affordable for families while supporting the obligations of TI Corp.

"For the first year, drivers will be able to experience these significant time savings for just a $1.50. Register for a tolling account - it takes just a few minutes - and enjoy a 50 per cent discount until December of next year."

Mike Proudfoot, CEO, Transportation Investment Corporation -

"Registration with TReO is the key for drivers to get the most benefits from the new Port Mann Bridge. Registered accounts make tolling easy, electronic and efficient for both our customers and for TI Corp. TReO decals let us run a streamlined system and keep our operational costs low. That saves drivers money, saves TI Corp money and helps keep toll rates low."

Media contacts:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

Greg Johnson
Communications Manager
Transportation Investment Corporation
778 783-1220

Three backgrounders follow.

BACKGROUNDER

Port Mann Bridge Pricing and Policy Details

Tolls and Rates

Dec. 1 to Feb. 28, 2013 March 1, 2013 to Nov. 30, 2013 All Vehicles TReO Account Holders

(Registered by Feb. 28,2013) All Other Vehicles Vehicle Type Toll Toll Unlimited Monthly Pass Toll Unlimited Monthly Pass cars, pickup trucks and SUVs $1.50 $1.50 $75 $3.00 $150 cars pulling trailers or light trucks $4.50 $4.50 $225 $6.00 $300 semis and tractor-trailers $9.00 $9.00 n/a $9.00 n/a motorcycles $1.00 $1.00 $50 $1.50 $75

Introductory Rates and Incentives

Tolls on the Port Mann Bridge will start at a low, introductory rate and incentives will be offered to encourage drivers to register. Introductory rates are common practice in jurisdictions around the world when new tolling operations are introduced.

Introductory rates are a way to encourage registration with TReO, the easy, electronic, efficient tolling system on the Port Mann Bridge. Registered customers allow TI Corp to run a lean and efficient tolling operation. That saves TI Corp money and saves customers money by keeping toll rates low.

Discounts and Incentives

In order to qualify for available discounts and incentives, vehicles must be registered with TReO and have an account in good standing. Registration requires the use of windshield or headlamp decal (available at no charge) and an account with a payment mechanism on file - credit card or banking information, or a pre-paid account with automatic replenishment.

Introductory Toll Rate

All vehicles will qualify for the introductory toll rates for the first three months, until Feb. 28, 2013. Vehicles registered by Feb. 28, 2013 will continue to enjoy the introductory rate until Nov. 30, 2013. Unregistered vehicles will pay the non-discounted rate as of March 1, 2013.

20 Free Trips

Drivers will receive a $30 credit (equivalent to 20 free car trips) when they register their vehicle for a TReO decal and account. The free trips are available for accounts opened by Nov. 30, 2012 with a maximum of four vehicles and must be used by May 31, 2013.

HOV Discounts

Vehicles registered as HOV users will receive a 25 per cent discount during peak hours. Vehicles must be driving in the HOV lane and have a minimum of two occupants to qualify. Peak hours are Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Large Vehicle Overnight Discount

To encourage off-peak travel, registered Large Commercial Vehicles will receive a 50 per cent discount when travelling between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Unlimited Monthly Pass

An unlimited travel monthly pass will be available to motorcycles, passenger vehicles and medium vehicles. The monthly pass is valued at 50 crossings at the vehicle's toll rate.

Unregistered/Pay-As-You-Go Vehicles

Drivers that do not register for an account will be able to use the pay-as-you-go option. Unregistered drivers will have access to many convenient payment options but will not be eligible for any discounts.

When an unregistered vehicle drives over the bridge, sensors read the licence plate and the vehicle length and assess the appropriate toll. Drivers may pay their tolls before or after they travel by entering their licence plate and a payment online or at a payment kiosk. Alternately, they may also visit a service centre or make a payment by phone.

If payment is not received within seven days of crossing, the driver's address is requested via ICBC and an invoice is issued. The invoice will include the outstanding toll charges and as well as a $2.30 processing fee for each crossing requiring an invoice. This processing charge will be waived for the first three months and will be applied to unregistered crossings as of March 1, 2013.

Vehicle Types and Descriptions

Small Vehicles

• Passenger vehicles, including cars, pickup trucks and SUVs.
• A vehicle that is less than six metres in length and 2.3 metres or less in height.

Medium Vehicles

• Vehicles such as cars pulling trailers or light trucks.
• A vehicle with two axle units that is six metres or more in length, or is 2.3 metres or more in height, or a motor vehicle with three axles units that is less than eight metres in length.

Large Vehicles

• Large commercial vehicles such as semis and tractor-trailers.
• A motor vehicle with three or more axle units that is eight metres or more in length, or a small truck with a trailer having a combined length of eight metres or more, or a motor vehicle with four or more axle units

Motorcycles

• A motor vehicle that runs on two or three wheels, has a saddle or seat for the driver to sit astride and does not have a trailer.

Exempt Vehicles

The following vehicles, after they register for a TReO account, will be able to receive a toll exemption:

• First responders (e.g. police, ambulance, fire departments)
• Transit buses
• Canadian Forces Vehicles
• Taxis
• Persons with disabilities (meeting the definition of Section 2 of the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act)
• Registered Pool vehicles such as Jack Bell Foundation (meeting the definition of a passenger transportation pool vehicle as defined under Part 1 of the Passenger Transportation Act regulations)

Media Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

Greg Johnson
Communications Manager
Transportation Investment Corporation
778 783-1220

BACKGROUNDER

TReO System and Registration Details

What is TReO?

TReO - Easy, Electronic and Efficient - tolling system is the best way to cross the Port Mann Bridge. TReO is customer service driven and designed to make tolling convenient, accessible and friendly for all system users.

How does TReO (and Open Road Tolling) work?

The Port Mann Bridge will use a fully electronic open road tolling system. Instead of traditional toll booths, the bridge will be equipped with an electronic system to identify vehicles crossing the bridge.

Bridge users who have registered for a TReO account will receive an electronic tolling decal at no charge. This decal gets placed on a vehicle's windshield. Each time the vehicle travels, this decal will be read by electronic sensors. The base toll rate (minus any discounts drivers qualify for) will then be applied to their account, and payments will automatically be deducted from the credit card or banking information on the account.

Users that have not registered for a TReO account and decal may pay for their trips, before or after crossing, online, by phone or in person at a customer service centre. When the vehicle travels, cameras detect the license plate and search the system for pre-payment attached to that licence plate. If the user has pre-paid, the base toll rate will be applied and automatically deducted.

If the user has not pre-paid, they will have seven days to make a payment. If a payment is not received, the license plate is used to identify the vehicle owner, through ICBC, and an invoice will be issued with an administration fee added to the balance owing

How do drivers register for a TReO account?

Starting Sept. 17, 2012, bridge users will be able to register and manage their account online at: www.treo.ca

They will also be able to register from a variety of locations including in person at the TReO Coquitlam and Surrey Service Centres, as well as by phone.

To register, drivers will need:

• Their license plate number.
• Payment information, such as credit card or banking information.
• Current name and address (according to your ICBC Autoplan policy).

What are the benefits of registering with TReO?

Registering for a TReO account ensures that Port Mann Bridge users secure the low introductory toll rate for the first year of tolling. If drivers register before Nov. 30, 2012, they will also receive a $30 credit (equivalent to 20 free car trips).

Registered users can manage and update their account online and will always have access to the lowest available toll rate.

Why is TI Corp encouraging drivers to register?

In addition to superior convenience and access to the low introductory toll rate, registered TReO accounts help TI Corp operate a lean, automated and efficient tolling system and keep costs low. Low operating costs help customers save money by keeping tolls low.

By associating a credit card or payment method with a TReO account and decal, payment is automatically deducted for each driver's monthly tolls. This prevents TI Corp from having to look up customers by their license plate and send them an invoice through the mail.

These efficiencies save TI Corp money by eliminating the need to chase down unpaid tolls.

Does TReO work with the Golden Ears Bridge?

TReO decals will work on the Golden Ears Bridge and early next year TReO customers will also have access to consolidated billing, online account management and easy payment for travel on both the Golden Ears Bridge and the Port Mann Bridge.

Drivers who expect to use both bridges, including current Golden Ears customers, should register with TReO to have access to these services and qualify for the Port Mann introductory toll rates.

How long will drivers have to pay?

Registered customers will automatically be billed once a month. The payment mechanism on file will automatically be debited and the electronic statement will be issued.

Unregistered customers without a payment mechanism on file may pay their tolls before or after they travel by entering their licence plate and a payment online or at a payment kiosk. Alternately, they may also visit a service centre or make a payment by phone.

If payment is not received within seven days of crossing, the driver's address is requested via ICBC and an invoice is issued. Payment will be due within 30 days. If a driver owes an amount exceeding $25 and payment has not been received within 90 days, ICBC will be requested to refuse to issue (RTI) their driver's license or vehicle insurance at their next renewal date.

What are the tolling customer service centres and where will they be located?

There will be a tolling customer service site on the Coquitlam side of the bridge where customers can pay tolls, register accounts, pick up decals and ask questions about their invoices. A Surrey service centre will be located adjacent to the 104 Avenue / 160 Street interchange. This centre will open in December and will accommodate access and parking for those who wish to pay in person, including drive-through kiosks for those who prefer not to leave their vehicle.

A temporary Surrey service centre will be available in the Guildford area of Surrey for area residents who wish to register or ask questions in person.

Media Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

Greg Johnson
Communications Manager
Transportation Investment Corporation
778 783-1220

BACKGROUNDER

Port Mann Bridge Time Savings

The Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement Project was designed to reduce congestion and improve access and safety along Highway 1 between Langley and Vancouver. Most importantly, the project will significantly reduce travel times, by up to an hour per day.

In order to estimate the travel time savings associated with the project, a traffic engineering firm was retained to measure current corridor-wide travel times and estimate future time savings.

To measure current travel times, sample routes, as noted below, were driven in prevailing conditions. Routes were traveled several times to estimate the average travel time.

To estimate future travel times, the same routes were driven at night to simulate the free-flow conditions expected once the PMH1 Project is complete.

Example User Profile

Lee: Commuter - Langley to Burnaby

Lee lives in Willoughby Park, Langley and works at Grandview Hwy. and Boundary Rd. in Burnaby. Currently it takes Lee over an hour to get to work each morning. His commute home takes just over 40 minutes.

When the Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement Project is complete, Lee's commute to and from work will take just over 20 minutes each way.

Total Savings (round trip):

• Time: One hour

Route Description Direction/Time of Day Current Travel Time (minutes) Projected Travel Time (minutes) Travel Time Savings (minutes) Travel Time Savings (Percentage) Round Trip Time Savings

(hours:minutes) 200 St. at 80 Ave. to/from Boundary Rd. at Grandview Hwy. Westbound (a.m.) 1:07 24 43 64% 1:00 Eastbound (p.m.) 40 23 17 43%

Example User Profile

Cindy: Commuter - Surrey to Coquitlam

Cindy lives in Anniedale, Surrey and works at Brunette Ave. and Lougheed Hwy. in Coquitlam. She drops off her child at a nearby day care before work each day. Currently, it takes Cindy 35 minutes to get from home to day care, meaning that she has to leave at 7:30 a.m. to give her enough time to stop at day care and arrive at work for 8:30 a.m.

When the Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement Project is complete, Cindy's commute from Surrey to Coquitlam will be just over ten minutes each way.

Total Savings (round trip):

• Time: 32 minutes

Route Description Direction/Time of Day Current Travel Time (minutes) Projected Travel Time (minutes) Travel Time Savings (minutes) Travel Time Savings (Percentage) Round Trip Time Savings

(minutes) 176 St. at 96 Ave. to/from Brunette Ave. at Lougheed Hwy. Westbound (a.m.) 35 10 25 70% 32 Eastbound (p.m.) 17 10 7 40%

Example User Profile

Peter: Commercial User - Coquitlam to Surrey

Peter runs a delivery business located in Coquitlam close to United Blvd. and Lougheed Hwy. His client base is spread out around Metro Vancouver, however, a large portion of his customers are in the Guildford and Fraser Heights areas in Surrey. Peter drives a large delivery truck.

When the Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement Project is complete, Peter's round trip to Guildford will be just over ten minutes, compared to the 20 minute morning round trip he currently experiences.

Total Savings (round trip):

• Time (a.m.): 10 minutes
• Time (p.m.): 9 minutes

Route Description Direction/Time of Day Current Travel Time (minutes) Projected Travel Time (minutes) Travel Time Savings (minutes) Travel Time Savings (Percentage) Round Trip Time Savings

(minutes) 152 St. at 108 Ave. to/from United Blvd. at Lougheed Hwy. Westbound (a.m.) 14 5 9 65% 10 Eastbound (a.m.) 6 5 1 15% Westbound (p.m.) 10 5 5 50% 9 Eastbound (p.m.) 9 5 4 44%

Media Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

Greg Johnson
Communications Manager
Transportation Investment Corporation
778 783-1220