Hamilton commuters among those to pay the price for Gardiner tolls

Toronto Mayor John Tory pitchedplans for road tolls on theGardinerExpressway and Don Valley Parkway, key highways that carrytens ofthousands ofcommuters into the city.

Thousands of those affected will be Hamilton commuters who drive into Toronto each day.

In a speech,Tory introduced the proposal as part of "addressing Toronto's fiscal health," at the Toronto Region Board of Trade.

The proposed tolls, approximately $2 each time a single vehicle uses the highway, would raise around $200-million for long-needed transit relief and major infrastructureprojects within Toronto.

"Analysis by City staff indicates that 40 per cent of trips on the Gardiner and DVP originatefrom outside Toronto's borders while the City pays 100 per cent of the roadways' operating and maintenancecosts," said a statement from Mayor Tory's office.

For Hamilton residents who commute into the city for work or pleasure, and businesses that rely on the highways to transport goods in and out of Toronto,that may be apricetoo high to pay.

According to 2011Statistics Canadadata, 6,835people commute from Hamilton to Toronto daily.

"Fairness includes looking at options that reduce the impact on Torontoresidents by asking everyone who visits our city or benefits from itsservices to help shoulder a small part of the cost," said Tory during his speech.

"By day, the number of people in this city goes up dramatically with allthe people who come to work or to visit, all the while using the servicespaid for by Toronto taxpayers."

That number is widely expected to have gone up as property prices have skyrocketed in Canada's biggest city over the last few years, the effect of which hasspilled over into neighbouring cities such as Hamilton.

In addition, people drive in for plays, sporting events concerts and many other attractions in the city.

It's not clear whether the tolls would apply to trucks or other commercial traffic in and out of Toronto.

Representatives from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce said they had nocomment regarding the matter, whileMayor Eisenberger was not available to answer questions regarding the proposedroad tollsby late Thursday.

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