Easy Pass a good choice for motorists | Bangkok Post: opinion

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Easy Pass a good choice for motorists

Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum is in the hot seat again with many motorists complaining to the ministry about the traffic jams at entries to expressway toll gates, supposedly caused by the designation of lanes for exclusive use by Easy Pass, or automated toll system, users.

The Bhumjaithai Party minister is reported to have given the Expressway Authority of Thailand (ETA)one month to find out how many motorists use the Easy Pass lane at each toll gate each day. 

The information obtained will be used to determine whether an Easy Pass lane will remain operational or be switched to an ordinary lane open to all motorists.

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  • warudee chattaraphooti

    Discussion 13 : 05/09/2010 at 11:58 AM13

    yes in my opinion, The easy pass system provided that's a good service for who are using expressway everyday but the system doesn't work well, till now almost every time i used easy pass lane i got same problem that could not find the easy pass tag in a car and another cars behide my car shown me that they are angry me what wrong with that even it's not my forced so in this issue make me disappointed with the system,if it's ongoing still with this problem no one handle it, it 's can be say that "difficult pass lane".

  • chazthai

    Discussion 12 : 03/09/2010 at 09:08 AM12

    It's sad to hear just another story about the inefficiency and poor planning of government authorities who, after all, exist only to make life better for everyone!

    But in the US, EZ-Pass "boxes" are available from each state's Motor Vehicle Bureau over the internet, and you can set up an automatic deduction from your bank account to top up whenever the balance reaches $10. Also, you get a monthly statement by e-mail telling you how many tolls you have paid and where and when you paid them!

    This is the 21st century, you know...

  • Boon

    Discussion 11 : 03/09/2010 at 08:57 AM11

    Stupid design to put Easy Pass in the middle lanes that causes confusions for cash - lane motorists on both sides, and in many cases forces them to change lane just a few meters before the gates. Easy pass should be located on one side of the toll plaza and be the same for all on the expressway, so that motorists are well aware and familiar with it.

  • Robert Bridgemann

    Discussion 10 : 03/09/2010 at 12:59 AM10

    Yes. Same here. I've been trying to get an Easy Pass for months. Sold Out! Mai Mee! Mot Lao!
    After reading this article I thought that they must be available again. Asked at the booths tonight. Same response. Sold Out!
    I would have thought that the Bangkok Post would have checked before running an article about a product/service that isn't available and hasn't been for months.

  • OG

    Discussion 9 : 02/09/2010 at 08:08 PM9

    I have been trying to get an Easy Pass for the last month. Every time I ask them, they say they have run out.
    So how can I use it, if I cannot buy it.

  • kev

    Discussion 8 : 02/09/2010 at 05:22 PM8

    I agree with #7, I too use the Easy Pass this way I don't have to worry about trying to look for money to pay the toll. And being able to top up at 7-11 would be a good idea also.

    Also agree with #2 about the placement of the lanes. In Silom the only lane with the Easy Pass the middle and at 5pm, it is almost impossible to get to it because of other people blocking the lane to cut in the cash lanes.

    Instead they should put it on the outside so that we don't have fight with other cars to get to it.

  • moonoi

    Discussion 7 : 02/09/2010 at 04:39 PM7

    I use the Easy Pass system and think its great, the issue I see with it is that not only can you only get a tag from the ETA offices, but you can only recharge it at the toll gate as well.

    It would make more sense to allow top ups for your easypass from 7-11/Tesco or setup a website where you can recharge it using your credit card. Then when your credit runs out, you don't contribute to making the traffic worse in the non easy pass lanes when you go to top up.

    I also believe there should be more easy pass lanes, I would suggest 1 express lane, and then the rest can be used by either tag or cash, this should also help to improve take up and reduce queing.

  • fergie

    Discussion 6 : 02/09/2010 at 04:32 PM6

    Does anywhere else in the world have a "downpayment" on the tag? You buy or recharge a card and insert it in a holder set at an appropriate point on your car - be it windscreen or bumper.

  • 007

    Discussion 5 : 02/09/2010 at 04:24 PM5

    I really cannot understand why the governing bodies do not realise the problems is with obtaining these passes, it is a hassle. If they make them available through outlets such as Seven Eleven, Tesco's etc, the number of users would increase dramatically. I personally would buy one in this way but not under the present system. Who was responsible for the marketing, they should never hold this position if they cannot see this is the problem.

  • BRT Hater

    Discussion 4 : 02/09/2010 at 04:17 PM4

    Instead of going for the Easy Pass, which is a Damn good service, go look at the Friggin BRT on RAMA III Road which has caused traffic jams to Soar tremendouly.

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