micko_nolan

Guess what, the electronic pass doesn’t even work on the Fermoy bypass.

Here’s a mail I sent the toll people, direct route the NRA and some Cork media:

***************************************
Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 10:32:23 +0000 (GMT)

Yesterday after ordering my electronic tag for the M8 toll plaza last Monday, I received the tag.
This morning I took the M8 intending to use the tag to pass through the toll plaza. According to the direct route website on this page
http://www.directroute.ie/directroute/toll-rates/toll-lane.html

it is possible to use the electronic tag on all lanes through the toll plaza and I quote:
“A mainline toll plaza near Watergrasshill … All lanes are capable of accepting electronic payment
– Pass Direct”

Firstly, I note that the express lane, reserved for motorists with the electronic tag is not yet open in either direction. Secondly, I took an automatic lane, since the electronic toll symbol was lit, which I take to mean that this feature is functioning and I could use my electronic tag on this lane.

Unfortunately, despite the above information on the website, and assurances from staff when
I ordered my tag, it is _not_ possible to use the electronic tag through the automatic lane. This I found out to my cost after the barrier failed to rise and I unwittingly held up traffic southbound for around 10 minutes.

It took about 4 minutes to get a reply when I called for help and then I had to run across a number of lanes of traffic to a cashier and get change for the coin machine. Only then was I told that the electronic pass
only works with a manual cashier. Meanwhile my car is sitting at the toll gate, blocking up morning traffic. The staff member who dealt with me was very good. This was a most embarassing and frustrating event,
which took place due to wrong information.

As a tax payer and a toll road user, I am very disappointed and frustrated with these events.
It is simply not satisfactory to state that the electronic system is functioning when it clearly is not. Savings in time
gained by having the tag are wiped out by having to have it manually scanned. This system should have been ready to use as soon as the road opened. What happened this morning was not acceptable and this problem of no information or the wrong information being provided is not on. If a part of the toll scheme
is not ready, then this should be made known to users and this information should be constantly updated on the website or through advertising.

In addition, no instructions were provided on how to attach my tag to the car.

Thank you for your attention
****************************

It’s a disgrace – 43 euro and I can’t use the thing. And they are charging me an admin fee for having the pass
even though it does not work. I got the usual reply saying that they were looking at the problem.
yesterday afternoon, I went to the manual booth and was told that they cannot scan the electronic pass.
I then got a ticket for not paying my toll!!!!!!
Another letter sent to the toll people, but no reply yet.

M

@jungle wrote:

I’m not opposed to tolls on roads per se, but can someone answer this for me.

I’ve heard that the electronic pass on the Fermoy bypass won’t work on the WestLink and any other tolled roads in the country. Someone please tell me it’s not true.