Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway to pilot electronic toll collection from May

A car entering the electronic toll collection (ETC) lane on the Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway. — VNA/VNS

HANOI (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): Motorists travelling on the Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway will only be able to pay tolls using electronic means.

In a pilot scheme from May 5, vehicles will not be able to pay by cash, but instead must use the automatic electronic toll collection (ETC).

The move aims to reduce congestion on the busy 105-km route, which sees up to 32,000 vehicles per day.

If successful, the model will be rolled out to other highways in the country, especially the country's North-South Expressway.

As the plan prepares for implementation, designated spots have been set up to allow motorists to pull over and have transponders installed.

This will allow easier traffic flow, and money for the tolls will be automatically deducted from the drivers' ETC accounts.

The ETC lane is much more convenient than the manual toll collection (MTC) booths, as the toll fees can be deducted directly from the driver’s account without having to queue for payment, said Phạm Thành Hưng, a seasoned truck driver on the Hanoi- Hai Phong route.

“The registration process is quite fast and simple,” said Hưng.

“When the car passes through the toll plaza, the system can recognise the vehicle, open the barrier, and deduct the fee from the account.”