MTO is continuing its discussions with the Ontario Trucking Association regarding concerns over delays and service interruptions carriers have experienced with certain permits and IRP plate renewals.
In recent letter to OTA, the Ministry commits to a IRP service standard of 5-10 business days for most carriers. Companies with 250 vehicles or more could experience longer service intervals, however.
Meanwhile, an online portal under the modernization project is being piloted with a number of OTA member carriers. MTO is confident the online portal should eventually shrink wait times. Full rollout of this service is expected to be completed later this year.
In the letter, MTO also recognizes they have had challenges issuing oversize/overweight (O/O) permits leading to significant delays in carriers obtaining route clearances in certain parts of the province. The Ministry says it has undertaken several initiatives to improve the situation, including dedicating more staff to the St. Catharines permit issuing unit. It is also completing a new round of hiring and training for O/O permits.
A modernized online O/O permit system is also being piloted. If it proves successful, it will be introduced in the coming months. OTA is meeting next week with O/O carriers and MTO to review the system.
For a best practices IRP checklist click here: 140912-IRP Checklist Best Practices