Reminder: Mackinac Bridge to discontinue acceptance of Canadian cash for tolls Oct. 1
Due to relatively limited use by customers, combined with administrative costs associated with currency exchange, the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) will no longer accept Canadian cash for tolls as of Oct. 1, 2023.
As the Mackinac Bridge is not an international bridge, and cannot offer an attractive exchange rate to customers, the Authority decided in July to stop accepting Canadian currency on Oct. 1.
When the MBA receives Canadian currency for tolls, MBA Board policy requires seeking two exchange rates from two different banks. After selecting a bank based on those rates, the MBA then must pay for an armored vehicle to transport the cash and pay wire fees for the amount exchanged.
Because of those handling costs and exchange fluctuations, the MBA currently charges $8 Canadian for the $4 U.S. currency toll. The MBA typically has received about $4,000 each month in Canadian cash.
Many Canadian customers currently use credit or debit cards to pay the toll, as they receive a better exchange rate through their credit card company.
