TPIF Frequently Asked Questions

How are hauling seasons defined in the TPIF Program?

There are 4 hauling seasons used in the TPIF Program. The specific start and end dates change each year according to climatic conditions. The seasons are defined as follows:

  • Summer - From the end of Spring Road Restrictions to the start of Winter Seasonal Weights (approximately June 1 to November 30)
  • Winter - From the start to the end of Winter Seasonal Weights (approximately December 1 to February 28)
  • Pre-spring - From the end of Winter Seasonal Weights to start of Spring Road Restrictions (approximately March 1 to March 15)
  • Spring Road Restrictions - From the start to the end of Spring Road Restrictions (approximately March 16 to May 30)

For the purposes of completing the  Route Agreement application, please use the following example to identify the number of trips you plan for each hauling season.

Why are the dates for each hauling season not defined by a calendar date?

The actual start and end dates for Winter Seasonal Weights and Spring Road Restrictions vary each year. The dates are established by Manitoba Infrastructure based on the current climatic conditions. Winter Seasonal Weights and Spring Road Restrictions start and end each year by Ministerial Order. There are generally several orders issued before the final start or end date is established for the current year.

Please refer to the seasonal weights for more information on Winter Seasonal Weights or Spring Road Restrictions, or to see the most current Ministerial Orders.

What are the insurance requirements of the TPIF Program?

Under Section 10 of the TPIF legal agreement, the TPIF agreement holder is required to have automobile third party liability insurance of $5 Million on all vehicles owned and operated under the TPIF Agreement. They also need to carry general liability insurance that covers all “non-owned automobiles.”  Carriers hired by the TPIF agreement holder to haul under their TPIF Agreement must have automobile third party liability insurance with minimum limits of liability as required by law.

Why does Manitoba Infrastructure request that I inform the relevant municipality if I plan to use municipal roads as part of my route?

The TPIF Program is designed to improve the productivity on routes that will be used multiple times. While damage to the provincial roads are accounted for in the TPIF fees assessed, the damage to municipal roads is not. The municipality needs to be aware of the impact to their infrastructure and agreement holders are responsible for obtaining municipal approval.

What is meant by the requested loading increase on the  Route Agreement Application Page?

Manitoba highways have three loading classifications. Each loading classification allows different weights on axle groupings and different maximum gross vehicle weights on legal configurations. RTAC is the highest loading classification, followed by A1 loading and B1 loading as the lowest classification.  Generally companies applying for the TPIF Program are applying to increase their loading on an A1 route to RTAC, or their loading on a B1 route to A1 or RTAC loading.

The maximum permissible gross vehicle weight (GVW) allowed on each classification of highway is dependent on the configuration being used. Although the maximum GVW for an RTAC route is listed as 62,500 kg, only a few of configurations can get this maximum weight. While an 8-axle B-Train can have a GVW of 62,500 kg, a 5-axle truck tractor semi-trailer is limited to a GVW of 40,000 kg. If your configuration is approved for RTAC loading on a B1 or A1 highway under the TPIF Program, you must ensure your axle weights meet the correct loading for your configuration

You can determine the legal loading on your route by checking the Truck Weight Limit Map. You can check the legal loading allowed for your configuration by referring to the Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Guide in Manitoba (PDF).

What does a correctly completed Route Agreement Application look like?

The  Route Agreement Application can appear confusing to someone who has never completed one before.  Here is an example of what a completed application (PDF, 625 KB) should look like. Please note that we have labeled certain sections and we have provided more information on those sections on the second page of the PDF file.

Why does it take so long to get a permit under the TPIF Program?

Issuing TPIF permits does not take any longer than issuing other types of permits. If a company already has a TPIF agreement in place for a particular route, a new permit can be issued very quickly. The delay that carriers find challenging is related to the approval process and the time required to get the legal agreement signed.

Productivity permits are not based only on a permit application. Companies need to apply to the TPIF Program and have their route(s) approved by regional and bridge engineers. Once approvals are in place, incremental damage fees must be assessed before the legal agreement is signed.

The application and approval process will typically take a minimum of two weeks, but often can take longer. Permits are issued only if the legal agreement is signed.

What kind of vehicle configurations can be operated under a TPIF Agreement?

Typically, TPIF Agreements are for legal vehicle configurations which meet the specifications laid out for legal vehicles in the Vehicle Weights and Dimensions on Classes of Highways Regulations. The Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Guide in Manitoba (PDF) provides an excellent summary of legal RTAC configurations. If your vehicle deviates from legal dimensions, please provide a drawing of your configuration with the interaxle spacings, width and height clearly labelled. Your configuration specifications should be attached to your  Route Agreement Application.

What is the difference between the expiry date on my Productivity permit and the cut-off date for the hauling season listed in the permit conditions?

Permits issued under the TPIF Program are called Productivity permits. Productivity permits are typically issued for the maximum length that an approved hauling season might extend to. However, hauling seasons start and end based on climatic conditions and may end prior to the expiry date on the permit. They may also not start until after the permit is issued.

For example, if your permit is for the winter hauling season, it may show an expiry date of March 15th. Your permit will also include a permit condition that states the permit is valid for the winter hauling season only. An example of such a condition is below:

“Under subsection 87(1) of the Highway Traffic Act, authorization is hereby granted to allow RTAC vehicles registered in the name of the permit holder, increased axle unit and gross vehicle weight in accordance with RTAC route designation for the duration of Winter 2017-2018 hauling season."

If a Ministerial Order is issued which ends Winter Seasonal Weights on March 8th, your permit is not valid after March 8th. If you attempt to use the permit between March 8th and March 15th (the expiry date on the permit), you risk being charged for “Non Compliance” of the permit by a Motor Carrier Enforcement Officer.

How do I contact the TPIF Program?

Please contact the permit office at:                                                                                                         
Telephone: 1-877-812-0009 or (204) 945-3961 (option 4 - Seasonal or Productivity Permits)
Email: TPIFProgram@gov.mb.ca

The TPIF mailing address is
Trucking Productivity Improvement Fund
Permits & Approvals Branch
Unit C, 1695 Sargent Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3H 0C4