eFlow
eFlow is the tolling brand name of Irish company Emovis (formerly Sanef ITS Operations Ireland, formerly BetEire Flow) which manages the collection of tolls electronically. It is best known for operating the "barrier-free" tolling system which was introduced on the M50 motorway around Dublin on 30 August 2008.[1][2]
Like other eToll systems, eFlow allows cashless payment on all of Ireland's toll roads. eFlow uses overhead cameras on the M50 and detectors to read electronic tags or number plates on vehicles.
In 2007 the National Roads Authority awarded the contract to construct and operate the new tolling system for the M50 to Sanef ITS Operations Ireland, a French consortium of toll operator SANEF and tolling system designer CS.[3] Both companies have worked on similar electronic tolling systems in Europe and North America.
eFlow tags are "interoperable", allowing motorists to use them on other eToll plazas on Ireland's road network. Electronic tags from other providers - MiniTag, Eazy Pass, eTrip, Eirtag, PassDirect and Tolltag - can also be used on the M50.
With the introduction of the electronic system, the existing barrier toll barriers began to be dismantled in September 2008, and drivers now pass through the toll point at normal driving speed.[4][5] Bottlenecks at the old toll barriers often caused long tailbacks, which were often featured in the roadwatch traffic reports of AA Ireland.[6]
Prices
Prices as of 2015 [7]
| Vehicle Type | Unregistered | eFlow Video Account | Any Tag Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car or Public Service Vehicle (Up to 8 passengers) | €3.10 | €2.60 | €2.10 |
| Light goods vehicles (unladen weight under 2,000 kg) | €3.90 | €3.40 | €2.90 |
| Buses or coaches (seating more than 8 passengers) | €3.90 | €3.40 | €2.90 |
| Goods vehicles (unladen weight 2,000 to 10,000 kg) | €5.30 | €4.70 | €4.20 |
| Heavy goods vehicles (unladen weight over 10,000 kg) | €6.30 | €5.80 | €5.30 |
| Tractor unit or an articulated vehicle | €6.30 | €5.80 | €5.30 |
| Motorcycles | Free | Free | Free |
eFlow Tag Registered vehicles pay a monthly account fee of €1.23.[8]
Forms of Payment
Payment is by cash, credit or debit card and is payable in stores or on the eFlow website. Toll charges must be paid by 8pm the following day of the journey or the driver incurs a penalty charge.
Exempt Vehicles
Motorcycles and Specially adapted vehicles for disabled persons are exempt from eFlow toll charges.[8]
Controversy
Since the launch of the eTolling system at the West-Link in 2008, it has not been without controversy.[9][10] In the opening weeks it was reported that up to 20,000 vehicles a day were not being recorded correctly,[9] with some fleet and car-hire operators claiming up to 100 mis-directed fines per day.[11] While the NRA initially stated that such issues affected only a small proportion of eToll users,[12] Sanef ITS Operations Ireland has since acknowledged issues with incorrect toll charges for a "significant minority".[10]
External links
References
- ↑ Information about eFlow on the National Roads Authority website
- ↑ on CitizensInformation.ie about toll roads in Ireland
- ↑ Article on RTE.ie about awarding of the contract
- ↑ Article in the Independent about eFlow
- ↑ Article in The Irish Times about the dismantling of the barriers
- ↑ Article on M50 in The Independent
- ↑ https://www.eflow.ie/help-guidance/faqs/how-much-does-the-toll-co/
- 1 2 http://www.eflow.ie/payment/
- 1 2 Irish Times - M50 tolling system misreads details of 10,000 cars a day - 1 October 2008
- 1 2 M50 toll operator 'accepts failings' Irish Times - M50 toll operator 'accepts failings' - 16 April 2009
- ↑ Irish Times - Toll fines hit fleets - 24 September 2008
- ↑ Irish Times - M50 toll problems overstated, says NRA - 2 October 2008