Do you take the Toll Roads?

I like to think of it as the bad old days.

Back then motorists would drive on rugged roads for hours often being stuck in traffic as you went on your journey out of town.

Fast forward a few years and we are all digging in our pockets to travel on roads with a smooth surface which sometimes cuts travel time.

Toll Roads

The cost for travelling on the toll roads varies depending on the type of vehicle you drive as well as how far your journey takes you.

A motorist travelling on the Spanish Town leg of the toll road can pay between $130.00 – $ 360.00 depending on the classification of their vehicle. Vehicles are classified according to height and /or length. Class 1 vehicles are less than 1.70 m while class 3 vehicles are higher than 1.70 m.

Payment

Those motorists who travel the route on a regular basis might benefit from using the Tag and Multipass system.

These systems are means of payment based on prepaid accounts like cell phones. They allow for an easier and quicker passage through the toll plazas, a more convenient management of your toll expenses and discounts.

Application forms can be collected at any toll plaza. When paying your toll return this form with all required relevant information to a toll collector and arrangements will be made for delivery of your Tag and corresponding swipe card.

There is no arrangement to collect payment by credit or debit card so having the swipe card would eliminate the use of carrying around cash.

Free Passage Promotion

In these days anything that promotes keeping money in my pocket is very much appreciated.

The TransJamaican Highway (TJH) has recently announced that it will update the Frequent Users Reward Scheme.

This programme will see motorists who frequently take the toll road a chance to drive for free. Motorists will need a Toll Tag, which is free initially but costs to top-up payment for service. If motorists hold a class  one and class two tag on Portmore or Spanish Town leg of the highway, on a weekly cycle will get their tenth passage free.

In other to benefit motorists must travel on the toll road  from Saturday 1 a.m. to Friday at midnight.  Each subsequent passage within the same time frame and  for vehicle classes one and two, who are tag customers along the two routes, will also be awarded a 10 per cent discount.

So consumers can see benefits of this programme on November 28, 2015 when it comes on stream.

So will you take the toll road?

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online Writer

Tags: toll road