Facilitating commuters: Toll tax payment options planned

ISLAMABAD: An innovative plan is being devised for commuters on motorways and highways to pay their toll tax through mobile and credit card. The National Highway Authority (NHA) was working on a project to facilitate commuters/passengers traveling on motorways and highways by introducing a uniform way of payment for toll tax collection which would help in reducing huge rush at toll plazas and save their time as well.

Official sources on Friday said currently the authority has installed E-tag facility on M-1, M-3 and M-4 while Frontier Works Organization (FWO) has installed M-tag on M-2 (Islamabad-Lahore). The E-tag electronic tolling is based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFI) and transponders are using the Dedicated Short-range Communications (DSRC) protocol.

The system uses electronic transponders called E-tags mounted on inside of the vehicles’ windscreen. The sources said National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is providing E-tag services to NHA on motorways.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6^th, 2016.