Ontario truckers will benefit from faster service and standard towing rates when they require a tow in a designated tow zone, as part of a pilot project to be rolled out this summer.
“We are thrilled to see the results of the provincial towing task force, including the introduction of a tow zone pilot that will provide faster and safer towing services to truck drivers traveling on some of Ontario’s busiest highways,” said Geoffrey Wood, senior vice-president, Ontario Trucking Association. “With the introduction of this tow zone pilot, truck drivers in the Greater Toronto Area will see benefits such as faster service and standard rates for towing services.”
(Source: MTO)
The pilot stems from the province’s towing task force recommendations, which will improve oversight into the towing industry, which has been marred by violence in recent months.
“We commend the Ontario government for developing a plan to increase safety and oversight for the towing industry that responds to the needs of the industry,” said Mark Graves, president of the Provincial Towing Association of Ontario. “Today’s announcement is a positive step towards consistent oversight and improved safety for Ontario’s tow truck drivers who work hard every day to provide professional service to drivers on roads and highways across the province.”
The pilot will introduce restricted tow zones on designated sections of provincial highways, where only a single approved tow company will be allowed to provide services. The province says the tow zones will allow faster, safer towing at standard rates.
The locations of the pilot are:
Restricted Tow Zone 1: Hwy. 401 from Hwy. 400 east to Morningside Avenue
Restricted Tow Zone 2: Hwy. 401 from Hwy. 400 west to Regional Road 25; Hwy. 427 from QEW to Hwy. 409; Hwy. 409 from Hwy. 427 to Hwy. 401
Restricted Tow Zone 3: Hwy. 400 from Hwy. 401 to Hwy. 9
Restricted Tow Zone 4: QEW from Hwy. 427 to Brant Street
In addition, the Ontario Provincial Police and municipal police services will form a Joint Forces Operation team to investigate violence in the towing industry.