TORONTO, Aug. 19, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Koskie Minsky: in March 2003, the 407 ETR and a representative of its customers reached a settlement of a class action related to the company's Late Payment Fee. The settlement was approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on April 23, 2003.
The deadline for filing claims is September 5, 2003.
Under the settlement, 407 ETR will offer a $6 credit on the accounts of up to 840,000 customers whom were charged its $30 Late Payment Fee. 407 ETR will improve its fees associated with the collection of tolls and other charges. As well, anyone who has been charged the Late Payment Fee as a result of an administrative or system error will be eligible for a credit of the entire $30 fee.
"As a result of this resolution, an expensive and complex court hearing will be avoided, saving the parties, the court and the public a great deal of time, inconvenience and expense," said Kirk Baert, of Koskie Minsky, a firm representing the plaintiffs.
"This is a fair settlement that will provide real benefits to 407 ETR customers who were charged the $30 Late Payment Fee," said Ken Rosenberg, from Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP, a firm representing the plaintiffs. "As a result of our action, 407 ETR has carefully reviewed its collection costs and practices and is making improvements to its collection policies and fees."
Customers who wish to make a claim for the $6 credit or $30 refund must complete and return a coupon that was previously published in a number of Ontario-based newspapers.
Copies of the coupon are also still available at www.koskieminsky.com, www.paliareroland.com and www.407etr.com.
The deadline for filing claims is September 5, 2003.