But according to long-time oversized loads hauler Transport Watson Montreal, this is not a bad thing. According to Roger Jacques, who books escorts and takes care of permits for Watson, the downside of the formerly free service was less than optimal service quality.
Once the new system gets any kinks worked out though, it should take only 24 hours to set up an escort, instead of the traditional 48 hours.
There should also be no more waiting around for replacement officers every time a load enters a different policing district in the province.
Fewer delays will even save some money, Jacques says. To be honest with you, since we knew it was coming along, we were welcoming the idea. Whether one or two police cars will be required will be decided on a case by case basis. According to Jacques, there will no extra costs for lodging and meals. There are opinions floating around that Transports Quebec is encouraging the use of rail and marine to transport oversized loads, which could very well be true. A disgruntled driver stuck for two weeks in New Brunswick last fall, waiting for his carrier to get permits to enter Quebec with several oversized loads, complained that Transports Quebec is downright hostile to oversized loads originating from outside of Quebec.
Jacques, however, sees no hostility on the part of Transports Quebec toward oversized loads, or any evidence that they are actively discouraging their movement by road.
