FASTag is a modern toll payment collection system. It is based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. When your vehicle passes through a toll plaza, the RFID scanner detects your tag and deducts the toll amount automatically. Once purchased, FASTag remains valid for five years.
This system now covers 1,228 toll plazas (including 339 state tolls), up from 770. With a 97% penetration rate and over 6.9 crore FASTags issued, it has completely changed how toll was collected in India. But, why is FASTag becoming this popular? Let’s check out its six major benefits.
Benefits of Using FASTag at Toll Plazas
6 major benefits of FASTag
As per a major release by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), in 2023-24, electronic toll collections in India rose to Rs. 636.2 billion. This marks a 17.5% increase from Rs. 541.5 billion in 2022-23. This growth shows the rising adoption of FASTag and enhanced user convenience. Let’s see six major benefits of this technology:
1. Time and fuel savings
Traditional toll payments involve halting, paying cash, and receiving a receipt, which causes delays. But now, FASTag has significantly reduced waiting times at toll plazas. It allows vehicles to pass through without stopping.
Using this technology, toll booths scan the RFID tag automatically and let you cross the toll. This also saves fuel because your vehicle does not spend time idling in long queues.
2. Convenient payment
FASTag eliminates the need for cash transactions. All the toll payments are directly debited from a linked wallet or account. Also, making recharges is easier and can be instantly done using websites or mobile apps of leading NBFCs, banks, or service providers.
However, to make this technology work, you must properly install it on the windshield near the review mirror. If required, purchase adhesives, cleaning cloth, or other accessories from online marketplaces to ensure proper installation.
3. Detailed transaction history
With FASTag, you get a record of all toll transactions in your account. Each time you pass a toll plaza, the system automatically logs the following:
- Toll amount
- Date
- Time
- Location
You can access this detailed transaction history through the app or the platform linked to your FASTag account. This gives you complete transparency as you can see exactly how much you are spending on tolls.
4. Reduced chances of errors
FASTag minimizes human errors in toll collection by automating the payment process. Unlike cash transactions, where mistakes can occur in calculating toll amounts or providing change, FASTag ensures accurate deductions directly from your linked account.
Since the RFID scanner handles the transaction as your vehicle passes through, there is no manual involvement. This reduces the chance of miscalculations or disputes.
5. Less traffic congestion
One of the major advantages of FASTag is that it minimizes traffic congestion. It eliminates the need for vehicles to stop at toll plazas for manual payments. RFID technology scans and deducts toll charges while the vehicle is in motion. This allows vehicles to pass through quickly, which significantly reduces bottlenecks and improves traffic flow.
As per a recent statistic, FASTag has cut waiting times at toll plazas from 12 minutes to just 47 seconds. This marks a significant 93% improvement. Since vehicles are no longer required to stop, the idle time has also dropped from 7-8 minutes to just a few seconds.
6. Saves the environment
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has recently estimated that FASTag cuts annual carbon emissions by approximately 10 million tons. Since vehicles pass instantly without any significant halting, it has led to reduced fuel wastage and emissions.
In this way, FASTag is also supporting several government initiatives for cleaner air and a greener environment.
Conclusion
FASTag has made toll payments in India, faster and more efficient. It eliminates the need to halt, which reduces both waiting and idling times. Also, it has led to a reduction in annual carbon emissions by around 10 million tons.
Moreover, all the payments are deducted automatically from a linked wallet or bank account. This minimizes human errors and provides detailed transaction history for better financial management.
With current coverage at 1,228 toll plazas and a 97% penetration rate, FASTag has greatly improved traffic flow and brought convenience for travelers.
