FASTag Subscription Passes For Highway Tolls, Like Netflix Plans, Proposed

If you are frustrated with the present-day toll tax arrangement on highways, the Indian government has some good news for you. Just like Netflix, you could soon opt for paying a subscription plan for your highway trips via highways and expressways!

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed a new system to collect toll taxes on India’s vast stretches of expressways and highways. The new plan, which is yet to be approved on a national level, is expected to not only make toll collection easier but also ease up traffic snarls at toll plazas. The proposed plan will be applicable to the existing FAStag toll system and is expected to be integrated seamlessly.

That said, will the new toll tax collection system impact the common man during their travels on highways and expressways?

What is the concept of new FASTag subscription plans?

The current toll tax collection system involves car owners making pre-paid recharges for the FASTag chips on their vehicles. Once the vehicle approaches a toll plaza on highways or expressways, a sensor reads the FASTag chip and deducts the required amount directly from the FASTag wallet. The idea has been in effect for years and simplified the toll collection process to an extent. 

However, for all those who frequently rely on highways and expressways, the individual toll charges at every plaza might be a hassle. Hence, as part of the new proposed scheme, the government is coming up with a subscription-style solution to solve toll payment woes. 

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As part of the proposed scheme, commuters will now have the following options:

Get an annual toll pass

The annual toll pass will be available for commuters at a yearly price of INR 3,000. Once subscribed, this pass will allow motorists to get through all toll booths and plazas on expressways and highways without needing to keep an eye on the wallet. Simply put, this will allow unlimited travel on highways and expressways for an entire year!

Get a lifetime toll pass

The lifetime toll pass will be available at a price of INR 30,000. However, the ‘lifetime’ bit is only applicable for a period of 15 years, regardless of whether your vehicle has a petrol, diesel or electric powertrain. The lifetime pass will only be applicable to the registered vehicle and cannot be transferred to a new/different vehicle. 

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Possible benefits of FAStag toll subscription system

- For all those who frequently travel via highly taxed highways and expressways, the toll passes will make the travel cost-effective. The annual toll pass is great value for those with moderate travel necessities. The lifetime pass offers the best value but you need to get it as soon as you purchase a new vehicle and keep driving it until its registration expires. 

- With the FASTag wallet no longer relevant, the passes should ensure shorter wait times at the toll plazas, thus reducing the traffic snarls on the highways. 

BTW, toll passes exist already!

Yeah! The government currently issues a monthly pass of INR 340 and an annual pass of INR 4,080. However, the current pass is applicable only for a single toll plaza. 

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