Toll collection on national highways will officially begin on January 2 of next year

▲ Toll collection on national highways to begin in 30 days, with a three-day free trial. (Photo / Eastern TV)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Toll collection on national highways will be implemented in 30 days, but the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ National Freeway Bureau will offer road users a three-day free trial period. Therefore, the official toll collection start time will be at 0:00 on January 2 of next year.

The National Freeway Bureau stated that this is Taiwan’s first implementation of toll collection by distance on national highways. Transitioning from a per-entry system to a distance-based toll system may lead to disputes over double-charging within short distances—for example, when a vehicle just passes a toll station near midnight and then encounters an electronic toll collection gantry at 0:00 the next day. A buffer period is therefore necessary to ensure a smooth transition.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Transportation finalized that after the launch of toll-free national freeway travel, there will be a three-day free trial period for road users. The National Freeway Bureau said that official toll collection on national highways will begin at 0:00 on January 2 of next year. The eTag electronic toll collection gantries installed on national highways by Far EasTone Telecommunications will also set the toll collection date as 0:00 on January 2 of next year. For December 30, 31, and January 1 of next year, the set rate will be 0 NT dollars.

According to the toll rates for national highways announced by the National Freeway Bureau, every vehicle can enjoy 20 kilometers of free travel per day. Vehicles equipped with eTags receive a 10% discount on toll rates. For passenger cars traveling less than 200 kilometers, the rate is 1.2 NT dollars per kilometer; for 200 kilometers or more, it is 0.9 NT dollars per kilometer. For large vehicles traveling less than 200 kilometers, the rate is 1.5 NT dollars per kilometer; for 200 kilometers or more, it is 1.12 NT dollars per kilometer. For articulated trucks traveling less than 200 kilometers, the rate is 1.8 NT dollars per kilometer; for 200 kilometers or more, it is 1.35 NT dollars per kilometer. (Source: Central News Agency)