July 18, 2007 - - International Bridge customers can soon purchase a new proximity toll card, called the "I.Q. Prox Card," which will help them shave even more time from their trip across the bridge.
Customers will be able to purchase an I.Q. Prox Card beginning Monday, July 23, and start using them at 6 a.m., Monday, July 30. Customers will pass the new card within six inches of a card reader device installed in the automated lanes. The toll will be automatically deducted from their account, a gate will rise, and drivers can be on their way.
"Commuters are a significant portion of our customer base, and we try to make crossing the International Bridge as quick and hassle-free as possible," said Phil Becker, general manager of the International Bridge Administration (IBA). "We believe our commuter customers will appreciate the convenience and time savings, however slight, this new system offers."
The Prox Cards will be available for purchase at the Toll Administration Building sales office, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, for a one-time fee per card of $5 (U.S.) or $6.25 (Canadian). Deposit procedures remain the same as with the standard I.Q. card, with customers asked to purchase additional trips at a staffed toll booth.
In addition to the ease of use and time saved in the lanes, each card will be registered to the customer. In the event a card is lost or stolen, the IBA can close the account and transfer any remaining balance to a new card.
All toll lanes have a card reader for Prox Card use, located near the toll attendant inside the booth. The outside lanes, both northbound and southbound, will be dedicated for automated Prox Card use, with readers installed on the toll booth exterior.
The two automated lanes will be unstaffed, but equipped with a lift gate that will rise when the Prox Card is passed in front of the reader. Other staffed booths also will accept Prox Cards, however, these will be processed by a collector, similar to the regular I.Q. Card.
Current I.Q. Cards will not function as Prox Cards, which are enhanced with an embedded radio frequency identification device (RFID) chip.
On July 23, the IBA will begin distributing instructions to customers on the card purchase process.
Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge: Bridging Our Past, Connecting Our Future
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