Are all expressway toll stations ETC?
2 Answers
Expressways are not entirely equipped with ETC toll stations; there are also manual lanes available for vehicles without ETC. Vehicles using manual lanes need to take a toll card and pay the fee at the exit based on the toll card. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Promotes green and low-carbon travel, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, thereby minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes theoretically increase vehicle passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC more updated, faster, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous.
During long-distance drives, I've noticed that while most toll stations now have dedicated ETC lanes, not all lanes are ETC-exclusive. For instance, we often encounter hybrid manual/ETC lanes that accept both ETC payments and cash. Especially during peak holiday periods, these hybrid lanes always have long queues. I remember last year at the entrance to Huangshan Scenic Area, they still maintained fully manual lanes, primarily to accommodate tourist buses. However, newly built toll stations nowadays are basically all equipped with ETC systems—even the highway that just opened in our county last year installed ETC sensor gantries. So friends who haven't gotten ETC should definitely check their routes in advance.
