Confederation Bridge toll refusal 'really a one-off'

Incidents where people refuse to pay the Confederation Bridge toll are very uncommon now that the bridge is 20 years old, says bridge general manager Michel LeChasseur.

• Tackling tolls: Could Confederation Bridge ever be free to cross?
• Veteran celebrates 101st birthday with 1st crossing of Confederation Bridge

On July 31 an Ontario man pulled up to the toll plaza and refused to pay the $46.50 required to cross. As the discussion dragged on, the toll attendant called RCMP with a trespassing complaint against the driver.

RCMP were able to resolve the situation. The man paid the toll and continued on his journey.

It happens once in a blue moon.- Michel LeChasseur

LeChasseur said it has been years since a call like that to RCMP has been made.

"It's really a one-off," he said.

"It happens once in a blue moon. It's been a very long time since this has happened. I think in the first years there was less knowledge about the bridge. Now there's a lot of knowledge."

LeChasseur noted there are signs on the New Brunswick side informing drivers they are getting on a toll bridge.

The incident caused a bit of a traffic backup at the toll booths, he said, but that the situation was handled just as it should have been.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Island artists receive provincial funding
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Top chops: P.E.I. woman wins national lumberjack competition