SURREY (NEWS1130) – I guess you could call it a Christmas Tree toll!
News1130 has the story of how one driver was overcharged on the new Port Mann Bridge because of the Christmas tree tied to the top of her car.
The tree lead to a major toll miscalculation for the driver of a 1989 Jeep. The vehicle was deemed to be “oversized” when she drove from North Vancouver to Surrey. She was charged 9 bucks because TReO became confused.
Greg Johnson with Transportation Investment Corporation says they are fixing the problem.
“It appears to be an anomaly or a situation that is just unique to this driver or this vehicle. We dealt with it directly, wished the customer a Merry Christmas, and made sure their account was corrected.”
So what about other people trucking trees around the toll bridge?
“It is important for customers to take a look to see if they have any questions. People can take a look at their crossings online and if they have any questions they can give us a call.”
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Seems that Treo and Translink are always confused! Does this mean that if I have a roof storage carrier on my jeep (or) other SUV/CUV that I would be charged as a commercial carrier?
The tolls are silly!
TREO is racist agianst Christmas Tree’s !!
Next they will charge you for snow on your vehicle….TREO/TRANSLINK are rip off’s and can get a lump of coal for Christmas !!
Tinfoil hat commented: All misbilled tolls should be credited as free crossings, not just adjusted to the appropriate rate. This would be in line with the scanning code of practice that most reputable businesses subscribe to.
You are confusing government, and their partnerships, as a reputable business!
Treo should credit the people for the entire amount because they have to spend their valuable time trying to correct an error by the error prone “system”.
Driving east or west on 108th Ave in Surrey and then turning onto 152nd street there is no indication that one has entered a tolled highway until it is too late to turn back.
I did this a few weeks ago thinking I could turn either turn into Fraser Heights or onto Hwy 1 Eastbound. (This is no longer possible but I have been away from Surrey for a few years).
So I did a driving tour through Coquitlam before returning to Surrey. If nothing else they might indicate an easy U-Turn route at the north end. The current exit signs all point towards Hwy 7 or Union Blvd with no indication how to return to Surrey.
(They might also want to expand the signs at 176th Street in Surrey. Lots of indications for exit to USA on Hwy 15. Nothing that says that this is 176th Street).
I completely agree with Tinfoil Hat. This would also force Treo to be more careful in their billing rather then so cavalier.
They also need to have a policy in place where if you make an accidental crossing you would not be charged. Accidental crossings are simple to determine, because if you cross one way then cross back over within 3 minutes, you clearly did not do anything on the other side so did not intend to be there.
The real sad part is that we are now talking as if tolls are acceptable but just arguing over the amount, when in actuality they should not be here to begin with. Thank you Kevin “Adolph” Falcon.
All misbilled tolls should be credited as free crossings, not just adjusted to the appropriate rate. This would be in line with the scanning code of practice that most reputable businesses subscribe to.
I advise for everyone to scrutinize their bills. We have a company account and the inconsistenies in billing are incredible. We have an Astro van with a ladder on top that was charged as a small vehicle going one way and a mediun vehicle going the other way. That’s $3 more. We also have a Nissan Frontier (small truck) being charged as a medium vehicle 60% of the time and as a small vehicle the rest of the time. No rhyme or reason. I was on the phone for 30 minutes trying to get it cleared up and the rep had to email the manager with all the instances that we were misbilled. It was probabaly a $40 difference and that was for the first 2 weeks alone.