The New EasyToll System Is a Major Success
Published on
In a press released to the media from the Estradas de Portugal, some very positive information regarding the implementation of the EasyToll system has been delivered. According to the Estradas de Portugal, the new toll payment service is a major success. If you are not familiar with the system, it is a new payment service that now available to help generate revenue from the foreign vehicles that travel from Spain to Portugal by the motorway system. Since its inception on July 1st, over one thousand vehicles are processed each and everyday.
Although those who are making a profit off of the system are considering the results to be ha huge success, those who travel to Portugal are not quite so enthusiastic about the new EasyToll Payment service. In fact, many commuters are not happy or supportive of what the system can do for an already overburdened and complicated payment service that commuters have to finance.
During its first three weeks in operation, the new payment system has recorded approximately 20,000 drivers. When you compare that with the 22,000 drivers that were logged from January to June under the old system which required motorist to prepay, you can see that is a major improvement.
The way the new payment system is supposed work seems to be pretty simple. Those who are driving cars and trucks with foreign plates have to drive to a specific part of the Guadiana Bridge for instruction. This is where their payment details such as credit card information is taken and a picture of their license plate is taken. Payment is not taken immediately; it is billed at a later date. However, when you find yourself experiencing the delay of having to pay the toll, you can see that this process does have a few kinks that need to be worked out to provide a more seamless transition between the neighboring countries.
According to the Estradas de Portugal, EasyToll "simplifies compliance from drivers, using a convenient and secure form of payment." It seems to be a good idea if you carry credit cards when you travel and of course have additional time to spend waiting around for a clue as to what to do next on a bridge. Now, the EC of the RIET seem to be extremely satisfied with the new toll system. Of course the leader of the RIET, Antonio Baptista feels that "one can still make efforts to improve travel over the border to facilitate commuting between Spain and Portugal." He believes "that the problem of toll payments "will be finally settled after the summer with the interoperability of electronic fee collection systems (Via Verde and Via T) of the two countries." Not once did he mention that there is a Eurolivrette agenda in place that the government is in agreeance with that is supposed to solve all of the problems of collecting toll payments on formerly free travel routes. The Euroliverette agenda is being implemented around the time as Antonio Baptista’s preferred solution.
http://www.portugalproperty.com - Portugal real estate agency - If you love Portugal you will love Portugal Property. Contact the team via email at: info@portugalproperty.com or call free now on +44 (0) 800 014 8201
Published in: Portuguese Life / Travel