About StraitPASS
1. What is StraitPass?
StraitPass is the name of the Confederation Bridge
Electronic Toll Collection system, made possible with funding assistance from
Transport Canada. StraitPass uses a transponder mounted in the windshield to
identify the vehicle to the toll collection system and authorize the payment of
the toll as a credit card transaction.
StraitPass is an alternative form of payment to the direct use of cash, credit
cards, certified cheques, money orders or gift certificates.
2. What are the benefits of StraitPass?
You can pass through the Toll Plaza faster and more
efficiently without opening your window. StraitPass offers an easier, more
secure way for you to pay for your crossing, and keep track of your company's
toll costs. In addition, the tolls are post-paid so that you pay the credit
card company when you receive your credit card statement each month.
3. How do I get a StraitPass and/or StraitPass
transponder?
There are three easy ways:
(1) If you already have a transponder from the Halifax Dartmouth Bridge
Commission, Cobequid Pass or Saint John Harbour Bridge, this transponder will
work as a StraitPass once you have an approved account at the Confederation
Bridge. Fax or email SCBL to request your StraitPass application form. You will
be required to provide the serial number of each transponder, the credit card
authorization and the type of vehicle in which the transponder will be used.
(2) If you do not already have a transponder from the Halifax Dartmouth
Bridge Commission, Cobequid Pass or Saint John Harbour Bridge, then SCBL will
provide a supply of transponders to meet your needs.
Fax or email SCBL to request your StraitPass application form. You will be
required to provide the number of transponders you need, your credit card
authorization to use these transponders, and the type of vehicle in which the
transponder will be used. SCBL will arrange for the necessary transponders and
advise you by fax or email of the total cost. When full payment has been
received the transponders will be delivered to you. The serial number from the
transponders, necessary to be used in the StraitPass system, will already have
been recorded prior to delivery to you.
4. How does StraitPass work and what can I expect at
the Toll Plaza when I use StraitPass?
The vehicle using the transponder will drive into the
dedicated StraitPass lane and stop at the toll booth. An antenna mounted on the
underside of the canopy of the Toll Plaza sends a signal to the transponder.
The signal comes back to the antenna identifying the transponder serial number.
When recognized, this serial number is matched to the credit card information
supplied by the vehicle company. This credit card information is transmitted to
the bank and the credit card authorization obtained. The transaction is
approved, the light turns green and the gate opens. All of this takes about 10
seconds.
5. Do I pay in advance by setting up an account with
Strait Crossing Bridge Limited?
StraitPass is a post-paid transaction not a pre-paid
transaction account.
Unlike the other toll facilities in the Maritimes that use
this same transponder, StraitPass will charge directly to a credit card each
time the transponder is used to cross the Confederation Bridge. Payment is made
to the credit card company, not directly to the Confederation Bridge.
6. Do I need to open a separate account for each
vehicle we own?
One account can accommodate as many transponders as you
require.
7. Do I need to have a credit card to get StraitPass or
can I pay on a weekly/monthly basis?
You need to have a credit card. The transponder is directly
connected to a credit card and represents a transaction each time the
transponder is used to pay for a crossing of the Confederation Bridge. You will
make payments to the credit card company and not to the Confederation Bridge.
8. Does it cost more to use StraitPass?
There are no service charges. The fee for the transponder
purchased from SCBL is a one-time, non-refundable cost.
9. What happens if my StraitPass is lost or stolen?
As soon as you know your StraitPass transponder is lost or
stolen, you should notify SCBL. You must have the transponder serial number
available in order for this particular transponder to be cancelled. Once you
have reported the loss or theft in writing, you will not be responsible for any
further charges on that transponder. We will deactivate your StraitPass
transponder so that anyone attempting to use it in the lane will be refused.
If you have a transponder account at any other toll
facility, you must also notify them directly to cancel the transponder usage at
that location.
10. Is StraitPass really faster than manual toll plaza?
Due to the fact there is no manual exchange of money or
cards, the transaction time is shorter than a manual lane transaction.
11. What is a transponder?
The StraitPass transponder is a plastic box about the
length and width of a credit card and about ¼ inch thick. It is an electronic
device containing encoded information that identifies your account.
12.How much does a StraitPass transponder cost?
The SCBL transponder costs $40.00, which may be different
than the amount charged by other operators.
13.Where should the StraitPass transponder be placed in
my vehicle?
The transponder attaches to the inside of your windshield
with the Velcro tab provided.
14. How do I install my transponder?
Mounting instructions are provided with your transponder.
It is very important that you follow these instructions in order for your
transponder to be read properly by the antenna/receiver at the Toll Plaza.
15. Is there any additional fee to use a transponder?
There are no additional fees or service charges, unless a
violation has occurred (see Questions # 20 & 35 for explanation of a
violation).
16. Is there a discount for using a transponder?
There is no discount for using a transponder at the
Confederation Bridge. The transponder is an alternate, convenient and secure
method of payment.
17. Can I use my StraitPass at other toll facilities?
You can use your StraitPass transponder at three other toll facilities in the
Maritimes, provided you set up accounts at these facilities. The Halifax
Dartmouth Bridge Commission for the MacDonald and MacKay Bridges (MacPass); the
Cobequid Pass (E-Pass); and the Saint John Harbour Bridge (Harbour Pass)
systems all use the same transponder as the StraitPass system.
NOTE: You should not have more than one transponder in your vehicle for these
four toll facilities.
18. How do I care for my transponder?
There are no special care requirements for the transponder.
Once it is installed on the windshield it should remain there. Problems
generally develop when it is not left in place.
19. What happens if I move the transponder from one
truck to another?
The StraitPass transponder can be used in any vehicle of
the same classification. Vehicle classification and the associated tolls for
the Confederation Bridge are established on January 1 of each year.
If, after audit, it is determined that the toll class
defined in the transponder is not the same as the vehicle going through the
toll plaza, then a Violation will have occurred.
For each Violation, SCBL will notify the company involved
and charge the remaining toll as well as an administrative fee, against the
appropriate credit card of the offending company.
For continuous Violations, SCBL reserves the right to
deactivate all StraitPass transponders for the offending company.
20. Can I have more than one transponder on an account?
You may have as many transponders as you wish on one
account. You will be required to purchase each transponder.
21. How is the transponder more secure than other forms
of payment?
The transponder has a unique serial number. It is this
number which is visible and which is read by the antenna/receiver. There is no
identifying mark on the transponder to associate it to any company or credit
card information. There is no credit card information on the transponder and
there is no receipt that contains the credit card information. The window of
the vehicle is not required to be opened, nor any cash, card or receipt passed
between the vehicle and the toll attendant.
22. Can I use the same StraitPass transponder in
different vehicles and does it work in any type of vehicle?
The StraitPass transponder can be used in any vehicle of the same
classification. The tolls for each vehicle classification for the Confederation
Bridge are established on January 1 of each year.
The standard windshield mount transponder works in most vehicles. There are some
vehicles that have windshields with metal content - such as heated windshields,
windshields with chromium oxide for UV protection, or windshields with a built
in antenna - that prevent the StraitPass transponder from being read in the
lane. In this case, you may need an external license plate transponder, which
attaches to the front license plate bracket of your vehicle.
23. Who do I contact if the transponder is not working
properly or needs to be repaired?
Contact must be made with the toll facility from whom the
transponder was obtained. If the transponder was obtained from SCBL, contact by
telephone, fax or email.
24.Who will have access to my StraitPass account?
We respect the privacy of all our StraitPass customers. All
information is considered private, and will remain confidential. Only SCBL
administration personnel, and you, will have access to your StraitPass account
using the internet and a special access code provided to you by SCBL.
25. If I close my account, can I get a refund for my
transponder?
Transponders purchased from SCBL are your property and
there is no refund when the account is closed. Other toll operators may have
different policies.
26. How do I cancel my StraitPass account?
If you decide to stop using StraitPass, simply notify us by
fax or email and we will cancel your account.
27.How do I change my credit card number?
If you decide to change the credit card number or when the
new card is issued with a new expiry date, simply notify SCBL by fax or email
and we will change the information regarding your account.
28. Can I still pay cash or use a credit/debit card at
the Bridge?
You will always have the option to use cash or a credit or
debit card to pay the toll at the Bridge. However, you cannot pay cash or use a
credit/debit card in the dedicated StraitPass lane.
29. How soon will my account be charged after I go
through the StraitPass lane?
The use of StraitPass is directly connected to a credit
card and immediately upon being used at the Bridge, the account is charged.
When this charge shows up on your credit card account will depend on the
banking arrangements with the credit card company.
30. How will we keep track of our charges, obtain
statements or get information on the number of crossings and when they took
place?
You will be notified of your charges in two ways. The
charges will be listed on your credit card statement from the issuer of the
credit card. The charges will also be recorded by SCBL and will be available
for viewing on the day following the transaction using a special access account
on the internet. This will permit you to obtain this information at your
leisure using the internet and a special access code provided to you by SCBL.
SCBL will not be distributing account statements.
31. Is there a lane reserved for StraitPass vehicles?
You can use StraitPass in Lanes 1 & 2 at the
Confederation Bridge Toll Plaza.
32. Can I get a receipt in the StraitPass lane?
Receipts are not issued in the StraitPass lane.
33. Do I have to stop in the StraitPass lane or can I
drive right through?
You will have to stop at the toll booth while the credit
card processing takes place. This will take approximately 10 seconds.
34. How does the system know how much I have to pay for
my toll?
The StraitPass transponder will be identified to a class of
vehicle.
If, after audit, it is determined that the toll class
defined in the transponder is not the same as the vehicle going through the
toll plaza, then a Violation will have occurred.
For each Violation, SCBL will notify the company involved
and charge the remaining toll as well as an administrative fee, against the
appropriate credit card of the offending company.
For continuous Violations, SCBL reserves the right to
deactivate all StraitPass transponders for the offending company.
35.What happens if the toll rate changes for my
classification of vehicle?
You don't have to do anything. The transponder serial
number is related to a class of vehicle in which the transponder is used. The
rate for this class is maintained within the StraitPass system and is amended
automatically if the toll rate changes.
36.Why am I not getting a green light with my
StraitPass?
There could be a number of reasons why you may not get a green light in the
lane. The most common are:
1. Your transponder is not properly mounted. If your transponder is not mounted
as shown in the mounting instructions, there is no guarantee that it will be
read. People holding the transponder in their hands and waving it is the
biggest problem.
2. You have no limit remaining on your credit card or your credit card has
expired. Check to see that your card hasn't expired, or that you have not
exceeded your credit limit.
3. Your windshield is preventing your transponder from being read. If your
windshield has metal content, you may need to place it in a different location
on your windshield, or you may need an external license plate transponder.
37. What should I do if I do not get a green light
and/or the lane gate does not go up?
If this occurs, do not remove the StraitPass from your
windshield and wave it around. Contact the Bridge Control Centre using the
direct telephone line at the toll booth, to obtain assistance. When an
attendant comes to assist, give your transponder serial number so staff can
follow up to see if there is a problem.
38. I have a StraitPass transponder but can't use
StraitPass dedicated lane because my load is too wide. How will that work?
This situation will be handled in one of two ways.
(1) The transponder is temporarily transferred from the wide load vehicle
to the Bridge Patrol vehicle which will pass through the StraitPass toll lane
and be recorded as the wide load vehicle; or
(2) The transponder serial number will be entered manually into the toll
system at the toll booth and the transaction will proceed as an otherwise
normal toll transaction.
39. How can I be sure that my transponder is not being
read and credited to the vehicle in front of me, or behind me, allowing him to
pass through on my account?
There is a detector on the underside of the Toll Plaza
canopy that determines the break between vehicles to ensure that each vehicle
is read by the transponder antenna/receiver independently and in order of
appearance in the toll lane.
40. Will there be someone to talk to at the toll booth
if I have a problem or aquestion?
There will be a direct telephone line to the Bridge Control
Centre.
