Bridge authority sends early warning to HRM drivers to upgrade toll transponders

CITYnews halifax / By 95.7 News Radio Staff

Time running out for drivers in the Halifax area to swap their MACPASS hard-shell for the new sticker version.

According to Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB), drivers crossing either the MacKay or Macdonald Bridges have just over 100 days to get the more efficient updated sticker version of the MACPASS.

As part of efforts to upgrade its tolling system to provide quicker service, HHB announced it will phase out the aging hard shell toll transponders by Dec. 31.

“The idea is that on December 31st, the hardshells won’t work anymore,” says Steven Proctor, spokesperson for HHB.

“There will be lots of warning in advance of that; this is just one of those efforts to warn people that this is a necessity. We have to do this to make sure that the system works effectively for the greatest number of people.”

Proctor says the vast majority of drivers have switched, but some people are still using the 25-year-old hardshell transponders to pass through bridge tolls.

He adds completing the swap is as simple as going to mymacpass.com and requesting the stickers, which will be mailed within three business days.

A MACPASS swap countdown clock is displayed on the main page of the HHB website to remind people of the deadline.