E-Tag or not to E-Tag ?

fpv608 · 12-02-2008, 01:00 AM

Hi guys, just like to indicate my concern that a large number of people that I've witnessed using the motorway do not use E-Tag, but use the E-Tag toll line to go through. How, easy , all they have to do is to slow down before exiting through, and wait for you to catch up, when you get close enough the gadget reads your Tag and there you go, he passes through with your so called E-Tag. I use the M5 and the Harbour tunnel twice a day 5 times a week. My warning would be wait till that person passes the indicator. And then move on.

cheers,

prydey · 12-02-2008, 01:43 AM

i can't see how that can happen. although i live in s.a. i have experienced the tolls in qld and the e tag thing doesn't beep until you are almost under it. for it to read the car in front as being part of your car, you'd have to be fairly close. vehicles that go through without an e tag get their rego recorded and a nice bill in the mail.

fpv608 · 12-02-2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

i can't see how that can happen. although i live in s.a. i have experienced the tolls in qld and the e tag thing doesn't beep until you are almost under it. for it to read the car in front as being part of your car, you'd have to be fairly close. vehicles that go through without an e tag get their rego recorded and a nice bill in the mail.

My apoligy, It accurs when that toll has a gate.

Geez Louise · 12-02-2008, 01:58 AM

My Melbourne etag experience....

Today I had to get an etag for weekend travel on the M1. I accidentaly put in the wrong rego online (forgot we were in the coupe) and paid for an etag online. Rang Citylink and gave them the online receipt number but unfortunately online passes take 24 hours to reach their system so was advised to call before 10am Tuesday as it was a weekend pass.

My question is...If I can give them the receipt number and day and time of travel, why can't they make a note in their system...why do I have to call back before 10am tomorrow to make sure they correct the rego?? or I can get a fine??

Yes..my mistake for entering the wrong rego but why do they make it so hard??

prydey · 12-02-2008, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpv608

My apoligy, It accurs when that toll has a gate.

i thought the whole idea of e-tag was so that you didn't have to stop! none of the e-tag lanes at the tolls that i've been through in qld (gateway, pacific, logan etc) have gates on them. just slow to 60kph and keep going.

T3ts50 · 12-02-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

My question is...If I can give them the receipt number and day and time of travel, why can't they make a note in their system...why do I have to call back before 10am tomorrow to make sure they correct the rego?? or I can get a fine??

Yes..my mistake for entering the wrong rego but why do they make it so hard??

You wont get a fine but a late toll invoice. I went up to Warnnanbool for a long weekend and thought Id purchase a day pass when I got back home, but I was a day late. I received a bill in the mail a few weeks later which was only $5 more for a late payment fee.

Paxton · 12-02-2008, 10:34 AM

E-Tag - Do Not Stop. That was the whole reason I got two of them. Without a tag, you can drive through the lane, your Number Plate will be photographed, and a bill will be sent to you in the mail. If you don't have a tag, there is a processing fee, of about $10, however if you do have a tag, you just write your account number and tag number on the bill, and fax it off to them, no excess fees.

On the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, there is no cash lane any more. People without tags can still use the tunnel.

Quasi · 12-02-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

i thought the whole idea of e-tag was so that you didn't have to stop! none of the e-tag lanes at the tolls that i've been through in qld (gateway, pacific, logan etc) have gates on them. just slow to 60kph and keep going.

That's right. This is exactly how it works.

DBourne · 12-02-2008, 04:11 PM

there are some that are e-tag + change booths.

so what Hakan means, he is coming to a toll booth that does e-tag and change, knobhead A is infront of him, slows down a LOT so that now hakan is behind him, they both get to the tolls together, booth recognises tag from his car, he and knobhead A pass through under the 1 payment.

Quasi · 12-02-2008, 04:49 PM

Yes, most of got that Bourney, but the thing some of us are trying to understand is why knobhead B (he has the e-tag) is going to that lane rather than just use the 'No Stopping' lane.

scoupedy · 12-02-2008, 06:39 PM

sorry can't really see how that would happen...
BUT that may explain why i never got a fine when i didn't pay in sydney several times when i was down there
If your going to have tolls then the etag is the way to go F$#king around with day passes and pay booths is sooo anoiying
The best system is in WA: no toll ways!!! in the biggest state with less rego income

Just had a thought, i was told that if the etag didn't match the rego you still got a fine, because if you change cars you have to tell them the new rego to avoid this

nugget378 · 12-02-2008, 07:29 PM

No i dont have a rego recorded on mine,i use it in a few diffewrent cars,it works fine.

If anyone wants to get past the gate for free on my e tag they are quite welcome too,the more the better,stuff these clowns and their private roads.

In fact I do know a trick to get out of paying,but would only work when there is light traffic so not much use to me,but I have tried it a couple of times and it works,and a much better idea than the one mentioned.

DBourne · 12-02-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quasi

Yes, most of got that Bourney, but the thing some of us are trying to understand is why knobhead B (he has the e-tag) is going to that lane rather than just use the 'No Stopping' lane.

ah fair enough, well the past couple of times i've gone through these types of toll gates they've actually been the lanes that are less congested since the e-only lanes get packed so that could be the reason

**Mechan1k** · 12-02-2008, 09:23 PM

I have to use the ETAG + Change lane on the M2 ... as I NEED to exit at Christie St ... the only lane that exits there is a manual gate lane.

I have to use it regardless ... this is one place that I know of that I need to wait in line ... otherwise I go through the centre section where it is DO NOT STOP.

What I do though is I hang back a bit ... I wait for the guy in front to pay at the cashier ... and then I move up and trigger the sensor and drive though ... I don't give the guy in front a chance to utilise my ETAG.

prydey · 12-02-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

I
What I do though is I hang back a bit ... I wait for the guy in front to pay at the cashier ... and then I move up and trigger the sensor and drive though ... I don't give the guy in front a chance to utilise my ETAG.

exactly! its not rocket science.

Rodp · 12-02-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtBourne

there are some that are e-tag + change booths.

so what Hakan means, he is coming to a toll booth that does e-tag and change, knobhead A is infront of him, slows down a LOT so that now hakan is behind him, they both get to the tolls together, booth recognises tag from his car, he and knobhead A pass through under the 1 payment.

I use several e-tag toll gates with a boom gate and have never seen that happen (on a bad day I'll use toll gates 3-6 times a day). I don't even know how it's possible?! My e-tag goes off well before the boom gate for the gate to have the time to open. If someone was balking at going through, they're likely had a happy snap taken before your e-tag has beeped.

paul_r_d · 12-02-2008, 10:42 PM

In Melbourne, you can pick up day passes from ya local newsagency or petrol station to use any time to use on CityLink (e-tag toll way). For regular uses we simply use the e-tag topping it with credit when needed.

Airmon · 12-02-2008, 10:56 PM

I dont even think the toll gate at the E-tags on the M5 are solid, I'm fairly certain they are just a foam type barrier, wouldnt be very hard to drive straight through.
As for the ones at the end of the eastern Dist. thats a different story.

Paxton · 12-02-2008, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airmon

I dont even think the toll gate at the E-tags on the M5 are solid, I'm fairly certain they are just a foam type barrier, wouldnt be very hard to drive straight through.
As for the ones at the end of the eastern Dist. thats a different story.

I've never paid cash on the ED. I was under the impression that it had no barriers at all, which gave the operators the option of allowing more E-Tag lanes as required. I can't wait until all Private Roads (hah, as if) became E-Tag only.

DBourne · 13-02-2008, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodp

... My e-tag goes off well before the boom gate for the gate to have the time to open. If someone was balking at going through, they're likely had a happy snap taken before your e-tag has beeped.

yeah? thats a better idea, some of sydneys it only goes off as you are under the booth which gives me a heart attack each time cos i think CRAP! it didnt work im gonna hit the boom... oh wait its up

Rodp · 13-02-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airmon

I dont even think the toll gate at the E-tags on the M5 are solid, I'm fairly certain they are just a foam type barrier, wouldnt be very hard to drive straight through.
As for the ones at the end of the eastern Dist. thats a different story.

No, I don't think they are. A number of them have been pushed through (they also appear to bend backwards quite easily) very often. Perhaps they're metal inside with a soft padding on the outside.