From 1 November, the Autopass agreement will change from a deposit to a chip subscription for Fremtind Service’s customers.
Photo: Harald Wisløff / Harald WisløffPublished: Published:
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The subscription form means fresh money in the coffers for the company. Autopass will cost customers NOK 5 per month at Fremtind Service.
This was revealed in an e-mail sent by the company to its customers before the weekend.
The company claims that the subscription price covers the costs they incur in connection with the purchase, dispatch and replacement of toll tags.
When asked by E24 if the company can explain why they are now making this move, commercial director Svein Skovly says that it is all quite simple.
– The bomb chip contains advanced electronics and the price of the chips has increased more than twice as much as the consumer price index in the past two years, says Skovly to E24.
– The chip subscription must cover costs related to the purchase, distribution and replacement of toll tags. In the last 12 months alone, we have bought more than 120,000 toll tags. The need will increase next year, he elaborates further.
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First said no
The new toll fee was initially labeled illegal by the transport authorities, but in April the system was approved by the Directorate of Roads.
The fee could cost motorists up to NOK 200 million a year, NTB estimated earlier this year.
The fee will go to the administration of the toll chip companies, and not to repayment of the toll debt.
Fremtind initially rejected that they would introduce the fee, but have now turned the matter around.
– In February we said that we had no plans for a monthly payment. During the spring, we came to the conclusion that a small monthly fee is better for motorists than a larger fee for a new chip or a replacement chip. The largest issuers have chosen different models, says Skovly.
Understands any frustration
He emphasizes that he has great understanding that Norwegian motorists would like to avoid this fee.
– We still see no other alternative, given the large costs we have with chips. It is important to note that we also equip all vehicles that do not pay tolls with tags, and they give us zero income. Examples of these are regular buses, embassy vehicles, emergency vehicles, electric vans and electric trucks.
At the end of 2020, there were 2.8 million Autopass customers.
Considering charging extra
Fremtind Service also reports that they are now considering charging extra for toll crossings without a chip. The reason is that this – according to the company – leads to manual processing, which further results in additional costs.
– This is a general industry problem, writes the company.
2023-09-25 11:55:35
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