M5 SOUTH WEST MOTORWAY CASHLESS IN TWO WEEKS

Monday 17 June, 2013 --- Interlink Roads today reminds motorists that the M5 South West Motorway will convert to cashless tolling from midnight on 1 July.

Rex Wright, the General Manager of Interlink Roads said that in conjunction with the M5 West Widening project, the conversion to cashless tolling would provide significant benefits to motorists on the M5 South West Motorway, including reduced congestion and enhanced safety and environmental benefits.

“Cashless tolling improves road safety, as there will be less lane changing to merge into a cash lane. It also provides environmental benefits by reducing vehicle emissions caused by vehicles stopping and starting, and reduces noise associated with braking and accelerating.”

Mr Wright said, “The conversion to cashless-only tolling on the M5 South West Motorway means all motorists will need to remember to have a correctly-installed tag in their car or an e-pass in place when they travel.

The vast majority of our customers on the M5 South West Motorway already pay their toll with an electronic tag or e-pass. These cashless payment options are easily accessible to our current cash-paying customers.”

Motorists planning to travel on the M5 South West Motorway after midnight on 1 July will no longer be able to pay cash on the motorway. Any motorist who does not already have an e-tag or e-pass arrangement is urged to find a tolling product which is right for them before 1 July.

The E-way Call Centre and Tag Service Centre will be extending weekend operating hours on Saturday 22 and 29 June from 9am to 3pm with the E-way Call Centre also being open on Sunday 23 and 30 June from 10am to 3pm to assist motorists in opening an e-tag account.

For more information on tolling products, including e-tags and visitor’s e-passes, visit www.tollpay.com.au, call 1300 555 833 or www.sydneymotorways.com

Any motorist who travels on the M5 South West Motorway without an e-tag or e-pass can contact E-way within 3 days of their first trip to arrange payment of their tolls by calling 1300 555 833 to pay by credit card or organise a pass, or visiting www.tollpay.com.au to organise an e-pass.

Motorists should expect changes to the Hammondville Toll Plaza and the tolled M5 South West Motorway ramps, which includes lane realignment and the closure of the cash lanes and cash booths.

Testing of the tag readers on the new toll gantry will take place intermittently from June to September. Full testing will be performed in August.

During this time, motorists travelling with an electronic tag in their vehicle may hear two beeps from their tag when travelling, once under the existing toll gantry and a second beep underneath the new tolling point at Hammondville or the M5 South West Motorway ramps, instead of the usual one beep. Variable Message Signs will be positioned at the new gantries to remind motorists during testing.

Despite the two beeps, all motorists can be assured they will only be charged the toll once. As always, motorists should check their e-tag statements and should call their e-tag provider if they have any questions.

Motorists are advised to drive safely and to the changed conditions, plan their journeys ahead and follow all signage.

Minimising disruption to motorists during this process is a high priority for Interlink Roads. Motorists are being informed of changes to the motorway and cashless payment products by Variable Message Signs and fixed signage on the M5 South West Motorway, the M5 South West Motorway website (www.m5motorway.com.au), the M5 West Widening Project website (www.m5westwidening.com.au), and a range of media advertisements.