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B.C. Liberals to cap tolls on Port Mann and Golden Ears Bridges; NDP vows to eliminate them

Click to play video: 'Liberal and NDP dueling bridge toll promises'
Liberal and NDP dueling bridge toll promises
WATCH: Six swing ridings around the Port Mann Bridge were decided by less than four per cent of the vote in the 2013 provincial election and, as Ted Chernecki explains, that may be why both the Liberals and NDP are offering duelling bridge toll promises as the election creeps closer – Apr 10, 2017

One month ahead of the provincial election, the B.C. Liberals announced Sunday they will cap tolls for commuters on the Port Mann and Golden Ears Bridges following the election. The B.C. NDP, meanwhile, said they plan to eliminate tolls on the two bridges.

According to a release from the B.C. Liberals, commuters could pay no more than $500 per year to cross the Port Mann and Golden Ears Bridges. The cap would also apply to the replaced Pattullo Bridge and the George Massey Tunnel Replacement once they are up and running.

The cap, which applies to personal vehicles with a TReO decal, could provide substantial savings for some regular commuters. The Liberals estimate that non-business weekday drivers with a TReO decal can spend approximately $1,600 a year crossing the Port Mann Bridge.

The B.C. Liberals estimate the toll caps, which would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2018, will cost the provincial government $30 million annually.

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At a rally in Surrey on Sunday afternoon, NDP leader John Horgan said his party plans “to eliminate the tolls on the Port Mann Bridge and on the Golden Ears Bridge to make sure you can get home.”

“It’s not fair to people living south of the Fraser … that you pay the price of the delays the B.C. Liberals have caused,” he said.

WATCH: B.C. Liberals promise to cap bridge tolls

Click to play video: 'B.C. Liberals promise to cap bridge tolls'
B.C. Liberals promise to cap bridge tolls

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