Improvements to ETC before charges resume

Shanghai’s transport bureau stressed the smooth management of expressway toll system at a meeting on Thursday, with charges to resume nationwide from May 6.

China lifted expressway toll charges on February 17 amid the coronavirus epidemic.

Toll fees are charged in two ways — electronic toll collection (ETC) devices and manual collection. China has been pushing the installation of ETC so vehicles can pass toll gates more quickly by having fees charged automatically.

Currently there are over 4.5 million vehicles equipped with ETC in Shanghai. Some 85 percent of sedans have the system installed. 

However, complaints about stability and more expensive charges followed an upgraded system which was put into use in January.

During the charge-free period, the system has been improved with a simplified and transparent charging process. Vehicles will be charged 0.6 yuan per kilometer.

The improved system has been under test throughout the city’s 104 toll gates since Monday.

Among them, 18 toll booths have shown congestion due to the increased volume of traffic amid the charge-free period.

The number of expressway vehicles on April 27 reached nearly 1.8 million, 30 percent higher than usual.

To improve efficiency during the Labor Day holiday, officials have made plans in coordination with the police, as well as a training guide for workers, backup charging devices and special mediation areas.

“As people tend to go traveling during the holiday, certain congestion may be inevitable. Our responsibility is to make preparations carefully in advance to provide travelers with a pleasant ride,” said Yu Fulin, deputy director of Shanghai Transport Bureau.

Officials called on travelers to avoid going out during peak periods and emphasized the importance of safe driving.