Dear Editor: Beware Treo.
Yes, the new Port Mann bridge is beautiful but it comes with a price.
On our way to take our grandson to the Christmas tree farm we've been going to for 19 years, we crossed the new bridge on Dec. 9 in our old 1990 Jeep. On the way back, with our tree tied to the roof of our car, we once again returned via the Port Mann. When we tried to pay our fees we were informed that the rate going was $3 and the rate returning was $9.
Apparently our Christmas tree exceeded the height requirement for a medium size car, reached past a "cube van" and deserved the highest charge of a "large vehicle." We were told that the branches of our modest six foot tree were sticking up.
Now the online description for a cube van on the Treo website is "A motor vehicle with two axle units that is six metres or more in length and is 2.3 metres or more in height, or a motor vehicle with three axle units that is less than eight metres in length."
There is no mention of a maximum height restriction.
The description of a "large vehicle" is "A commercial truck tractor with one or more trailers, or a motorbus or large motorhome. A motor vehicle with three or more axle units that is eight metres or more in length, or a medium vehicle with a trailer having a combined length of eight metres or more, or a motor vehicle with four or more axle units."
So now we were considered the height of a commercial truck and we have extra axles we didn't know about!
Not only that, be forewarned, if you dare to challenge this charge you will not be able to renew your car insurance.
So, as beautiful as the new bridge that connects the Trans-Canada Highway is, it seems to come with some very hidden prices.
Batten down your Christmas trees because the Grinch is everywhere.
Lynda Goch North Vancouver
