Bangladesh
Padma Bridge Electronic toll collection starts on experimental basis at Padma Bridge
Dhaka, July 6: Trial of Electronic Toll Collection System-ETCS started on Padma Bridge. 14 booths have been brought under automatic toll collection from Wednesday. And the remaining three booths are kept manually for motorcycles as before. Besides, Padma Bridge Traffic Monitoring Center has been started at Mawa end to monitor the traffic of the bridge.
The radio frequency identification-RFID system has created an opportunity to collect toll while moving. For this method, the vehicle registered in front of the toll plaza is identified by the scanner from booth number 1. After paying the prescribed toll, the barrier rises and the balance is displayed on the screen.
At around 10:30 am, the bridge secretary crossed the toll plaza after paying the toll in a smart manner. Booth number 2 is called Hybrid. RFID, Touch and Go and Cash. There will be opportunity to pay toll in these three methods. And touch and go and cash system has been introduced in five booths from 3 to 7. Same on both sides. Padma Bridge Traffic Monitoring Center has been launched at the Mawa end to monitor the traffic of the bridge.
Bridge Secretary Md. Manjur Hoson said that two booths have been increased on both banks as smart toll collection has started on an experimental basis. So now 17 toll booths are open on both sides of the bridge. 14 toll booths have been brought under electronic toll. ETCS registration booth has been opened on the east side of Padma Setu North Police Station in Mawa. If this system is fully implemented, the vehicles will not have to wait, the toll plaza will be free of congestion. Bridge users expressed excitement at the news of proper use of technology.
Toll will be collected manually on the computer as before at three booths No. 8 of the Mawa end of the bridge and No. 8 and 9 of the Jazira end.
