AirCare bumps up price

If you drive through AirCare in the new year and have to pay 24 dollars instead of the usual 18 -- don't worry, it's not because of the Y2K bug. AirCare is raising the price of getting your vehicle tested.

The six dollar hike begins Monday, January 3rd, and according to AirCare spokesperson Rashpal Rai, the increase is necessary.

"We had done various testing and assessments to determine at what rate we need to ensure that we break even, understanding the fact that we cannot run a deficit," explained Rai. "And it was determined that 24 dollars would ensure that we maintained that level."

Rai says a lot of people don't see the point of having an emissions testing program at all. But he says it does help the air we breathe.

"Preliminary numbers do show that AirCare has contributed an excess of thirty percent reduction of the inventory of the emissions that have been produced and released into the air," said Rai.

Along with the increases, AirCare will now begin accepting Visa, Mastercard and Interac when you pay for your vehicle testing.