What is the latest news on expressway tolls in 2020?
4 Answers
The latest news on expressway tolls in 2020 is that the ETC gantry billing amount is rounded to the nearest "cent", and ETC vehicles are subject to segmented charging, with transaction amounts rounded to the nearest "cent". Manual toll collection also adopts segmented charging, with fees consolidated at the expressway exit and transaction amounts rounded to the nearest "yuan". ETC billing will be more accurate, and there are preferential policies for ETC tolls. Passenger vehicles are still classified into 4 categories based on the number of seats. Small buses with 8 or 9 seats and a length of less than 6 meters have been reclassified from Category 2 to Category 1. Trucks, previously classified by rated load capacity, are now classified by the total number of axles, vehicle length, and total mass, with the original 5 categories adjusted to 6 categories. Since the implementation standards vary by province, there is no unified expressway toll standard, and specific charges are determined locally.
In 2020, there were quite a few changes in expressway tolling, and as a veteran driver, I felt them the most. At the beginning of the year, the promotion of ETC started, and I immediately installed one. Since then, I no longer had to queue at toll stations when entering the expressway, saving both time and hassle. After the policy update, the billing system switched to real-time segmented charging, which became more accurate. The biggest surprise was during the pandemic when the toll-free policy lasted from February to early May. I saved money every week on my long-distance freight trips, and fuel costs also dropped. However, after tolls resumed, the upgraded ETC billing system occasionally caused minor inconveniences, requiring regular bill checks. Overall, 2020 made expressway travel smarter and more efficient. I recommend everyone to get an ETC early and adapt to the new system.
As someone who drives the whole family on trips, I feel the 2020 highway toll policy has had a significant impact on families. After the full rollout of ETC at the beginning of the year, passing through toll stations became much faster once we installed it, compared to the previous slow process. The free measures during the pandemic were a real benefit—I saved hundreds during the Spring Festival visit, and the kids had less hassle. When tolls resumed, the system became more standardized, and I heard you could even check mileage via an app to avoid overcharging. However, the new system occasionally has bugs, so I recommend budgeting in advance. The 2020 changes have made the road network more convenient, but everyone should pay attention to official announcements to not miss out on free or discounted periods.
As a young car owner, I'm super satisfied with the 2020 highway toll updates. At the beginning of the year when ETC became mandatory, I immediately ordered and installed it – the seamless payment experience on highways is fantastic. During the pandemic when tolls were free for several months, I frequently went on road trips and enjoyed zero costs. After tolls resumed, the new system became much more transparent, allowing me to check records anytime on my phone, which reduced disputes. The 2020 policies have made travel smoother, though the early installation process was a bit tedious. Still, it was a worthwhile investment with noticeable efficiency improvements.
