Here is some information for you that I was able to obtain from my MLA, Mary Polak, Minister of Transportation about the new Port Mann Bridge:
People with disabilities will be exempt from paying tolls on the Port Mann Bridge if they meet the following eligibility requirements:
- They must be a British Columbia resident
- They must be a person who is designated under the British Columbia Employment and Assistance for Persons With Disabilities Act as a person with disabilities
- The vehicle must be owned or leased by the person applying for the exemption
- The person with disabilities must be registered as exempt with the TReO tolling system and a tolling decal must be properly installed on their vehicle
People with disabilities are exempt from tolls on the Port Mann Bridge because many people with disabilities find they have extra costs because of their disability. The Province of British Columbia is committed to improving employment and assistance programs for persons with disabilities and providing resources to those most in need.
For more information about accessibility on the RapidBus service, you may want to contact TransLink by telephone at 604-953-3333. They would be pleased to assist you.
The Port Mann Bridge TReO decals will work on the Golden Ears system and Golden Ears bridge transponders will also work on the Port Mann Bridge.
However, Golden Ears users will need to register for a TReO account to receive the low introductory toll rate and any discounts or promotions that they may be eligible for.
Once they do that, they will be able to travel on both bridges with one device and also be able to view, manage and pay trips and transactions for both bridges through a single, easy to use online account. This service will be available in early 2013.
Drivers are encouraged to register early for a TReO account to take advantage of introductory rates and a 20 Free Trips incentive.
Registered accounts help TI Corp 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.
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.
All vehicles will qualify for the introductory toll rates for the first three months, until February 28, 2013. Vehicles registered by February 28, 2013 will continue to enjoy the introductory rate until November 30, 2013. Unregistered vehicles will pay the non-discounted rate as of March 1, 2013.
Registered TReO account holders will receive a $30 credit (equivalent to 20 free car trips) when they register their vehicle for a TReO account before November 30, 2012. The free trips must be used by May 31, 2013.
Whether you register early or not, it's important to note people with disabilities must register with TReO to qualify for a person with disabilities exemption.
TReO staff can guide you through a person with disabilities registration either on the phone or in person at one of our customer service centres.
You can call TReO at:
- 604-516-TREO (604-516-8736)
- 1-855-888-TREO (1-855-888-8736)
The Customer Service Centres are open in both Coquitlam and Surrey to serve you.
Coquitlam
2nd floor, 1500 Woolridge Street
Coquitlam BC
Hours
Monday to Friday: 6am - 9pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9am - 6pm
Holidays: 10am - 6pm
Surrey
Unit 102 - 14815 108th Avenue
Surrey, BC
Hours
Monday to Friday: 9am - 8pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9am - 6pm
Holidays: 10am - 6pm
Here are some of my comments:
I am really disappointed that one has to be on PWD benefits to qualify for an exemption, because that means if they are on CPP disability benefits, they do not qualify, if they are a senior with a disability they do not qualify and if they are receiving private disability benefits they do not qualify.
It seems to me that if they qualified for the provincial disability gas tax credit that should be sufficient for them to qualify.
The question I have to ask is that if your income is $900 a month, please tell me how you can afford to own or lease a vehicle, license and insure it and pay for gas on that income and still have enough money to pay for a place to live and the necessities of life.
It looks to me that the government is paying lip service to those of us with disabilities.
I have submitted this to Steele On Your Side and would love to have others ask a few of these questions to see if we can get some changes made.
IT'S TIME TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!