Article: Free-flow traffic tolling system broken

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Free-flow traffic tolling system broken

Free-flow traffic tolling system broken
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Ursula Heger

August 17, 2009 11:25am

THE much vaunted free-flow tolling system has broken down only weeks after it went live, with motorists unable to pay their tolls using the voice-automated system.

Yesterday motorist without an e-tag who tried to pay their toll were sent on an infuriating loop by the voice-automated system, before being left with a dead end.

When called back, the automated system told customers they would be transferred to an operator due to technical difficulties, and were then disconnected.

Motorists who use the tolls without an e-tag only have three days before they are fined $7 fine on top of the toll.

Queensland Motorways was this morning unavailable for comment.

It seems like the Go card the Go via is not without some 'teething' problems ... 

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Queensland Motorways to waive $7 late pay toll fee

Queensland Motorways to waive $7 late pay toll fee
Tony Moore
August 17, 2009 - 5:56PM

Queensland Motorways will waive its $7 fee for people who have not paid their electronic tolls because of ongoing problems since free-flow tolling started in July.

Problems with Queensland Motorway's automated phone 'e-toll' system are not expected to be fixed until Tuesday morning, despite programmers working on the problem now.

Queensland Motorways CEO Phil Mumford described the problem as "intermittent" and said it had been occurring for several days.

He confirmed that Queensland Motorways will not be forcing commuters to pay the $7 "administration" fee if they have not paid their tolls in the months of July or August.

"Given the difficulties some customers have experienced contacting Queensland Motorways during the introduction of free-flow tolling, we are honouring our commitment to look after customers," he said.

"During July and August we won't be applying the $7 administration fee for non payment of tolls."

Free-flow tolling started in July.

About 200,000 commuters use either the Logan or Gateway Motorways each day, although 80 per cent of commuters use toll tags and are not affected by the automated voice system fault.

About 5 per cent of the 200,000 commuters may have been affected by the automated voice system fault, although Mr Mumford said Queensland Motorways said it was difficult to judge the full impact.

"Due to the intermittent nature of the technical issues, Queensland Motorways is not able to provide a figure on the number of customers impacted as a result of this issue," he said.