New ExpressPass for Lewiston truckers Posted by DC Cargo Mall on March 16, 2011

New ExpressPass for Lewiston truckers
System will cut time at Lewiston-Queenston bridge
Updated: Wednesday, 16 Mar 2011, 1:02 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 16 Mar 2011, 1:00 PM EDT

Posted by Nancy Sanders
LEWISTON, NY (Release) - The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, operator of three of the four Niagara River bridges between Western New York and Southern Ontario, today unveiled the new ExpressPass for trucks crossing the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge that will help reduce wait times for all motorists.

The first commercial automatic crossing pass of its kind on a northern border bridge, the ExpressPass program is expected to serve 270 trucking companies using some 15,000 individual trucks and tractor-trailers that pay the one-way toll into Canada at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge.

The pass also works for tour buses crossing the Rainbow Bridge, which does not handle trucks, or at Queenston. The NFBC’s third bridge, the Whirlpool Bridge, is NEXUS only.

The ExpressPass for commercial vehicles utilizes two fully automated, unmanned toll booths. The driver pulls up to a booth and flashes the ExpressPass card – essentially a debit card – at the designated sensor. The system then deducts the appropriate amount of money from a pre-deposited account maintained by enrolled truckers, counts the pre-registered number of axles on the truck, and up- or down-charges for more or fewer axles as needed, to ensure a speedy, fair and accurate transaction. There is a web-based account management system that allows companies to manage their commercial account online.

“This is essentially a VIP line for truckers. We created the commercial ExpressPass system in-house and it is the first of its kind to be used on the northern border,” said Victor Montalbo, NFBC manager of administration and finance. “The response we received from those who helped us during the testing and pilot phase has been overwhelmingly positive because this system will help them better meet their budgetary needs and shipping deadlines.”