Why duplicate ETR bill for second car?

Eric Lai

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Q: When I got a Highway 407 ETR (Express Toll Route) transponder in 2005, a company staffer said I could move it between my two vehicles. I've done that many times without problems.

Recently, I used the transponder on the secondary auto – a van – and got billed on the transponder account accordingly.

However, I later received a duplicate billing on a separate account for the van only. I was billed for a video charge and a one-exit mileage charge, due to unknown entry/exit.

Customer service at 407 ETR said I should use separate transponders and reluctantly issued a "one-time only" credit.

I'm not a frequent 407 user and don't need two transponders.

What's going on here?

Wilfred Chan, Scarborough

A: Dale Albers, a spokesperson for the ETR consortium (407etr.com), replies:

We strongly advise customers not to share a transponder between vehicles because, often, the transponder is not mounted or customers forget to take it in the vehicle when needed.

Those who do use the transponders in more than one vehicle are responsible for any charges that can result from moving it around.

An additional transponder is only $1 a month and will save the hassle and expense of entering the highway without the device.

In Mr. Chan's case, the system apparently read the transponder on entry, but not when exiting.

This can happen if the battery is weak, or when someone doesn't mount the transponder on the windshield and just holds it up by hand, then forgets to do the same on exit.

Since the secondary auto's plate isn't tied to a transponder or existing account, a new account is created and a separate bill is sent.

Q: Wheels has often extolled the virtues of keeping vehicle tires correctly inflated. Yet I find that many gas station air pumps are in deplorable condition. It seems the only decent ones require a charge for their use, which probably explains their pristine condition.

Does any retailer out there have a good, free air pump?

Rich Abernathy, Thornhill

A: Maintaining proper tire pressure is essential for safe and fuel-efficient motoring.

But finding a good gas station air pump is often a challenge. Readers often complain of out-of-order, leaky or hard-to-use air pumps, many of which you have to pay to use.

A Petro-Canada outlet at Bayview and 16th Aves. in Richmond Hill is one of the first gas stations we've seen that has upgraded to an Excel electronic air pump.

You just set the desired pressure or use the 32 p.s.i. default, then press the filler to your tire valve. The unit starts and stops automatically and beeps when the set pressure is reached.

The coiled air hose self-retracts and doesn't easily tangle.

Unlike many older air pumps, there's no need to bring your own pressure gauge, as the unit is highly accurate (according to the hand gauges we tested with). The pump will even adjust overfilled tires to the correct pressure. Best of all, it's free.

"Providing an air pump is a service that people depend on us for," says Petro-Canada spokesperson Jon Hamilton. "Our policy is to always provide this service for free, even though the machines can take a beating and require regular maintenance."

The Excel is PetroCan's standard unit and will be installed at all new company-owned sites. Existing sites will receive them when older machines wear out, Hamilton says.

Other major gas retail chains polled replied only that their air pumps are repaired or replaced as needed.

Eric Lai seeks solutions to your auto grievances. Send an email of 300 or fewer words to wheels@thestar.ca

Include year, make, model, VIN, (vehicle identification number), relevant dates and dollar amounts as well as your full name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited. No personal replies.

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