Dartford toll free-flow system...(and increased payments)

[woodypup59]

The leaflet I've just got with a road tax form says that it will still be free 10pm to 6am.

It also says that Dart-taggers will be contacted before the October implementation.

see www.gov.uk/highways/dartford

[Ken G]

Cotty said:

Its currently free from 10pm - 6am. Do you think they will keep that as this is suposed to be congestion related.

Flyer I got from the Highways agency today states it will still be free from 10pm to 6am.

Same flyer gives this link www.gov.uk/highways/dartford

oops didn't see your post woodypup

Edited by Ken G on Tuesday 8th July 18:18

[woodypup59]

At least we agree !

ROFL

[Glassman]

mneame said:

The Blackwall Tunnel Route is starting to more appealing.

I've been using the BWT quite a bit recently. It beats having to sit in the bottleneck, AND having to pay to do so. The approaches can get quite congested, but not as bad as Le Crossing.

[TCEvo]

I transferred my DART account yesterday to the new system which apparently takes effect from end of Nov. You can register several cars to one account so no need to retain the box in the car (although it didn't specify this on the site). Whether it all works & whether my remaining balance is transferred remains to be seen of course

[Gixer]

Yes, did mine yesterday. Set mine up with the auto payment method. Interestingly I noticed the mininum account balance is £10. That's quite a bit of interest they'll be skimming off the back of all our accounts. Currently my low credit warning triggers at £5.

Makes me angry they feel the need to put it up, especially if you think of the savings they'll be making on loosing most the staff,

I've heard from a few people now that they're looking at putting a toll on the Blackwall........

[TCEvo]

Gixer said:

Yes, did mine yesterday. Set mine up with the auto payment method. Interestingly I noticed the mininum account balance is £10. That's quite a bit of interest they'll be skimming off the back of all our accounts. Currently my low credit warning triggers at £5.

Makes me angry they feel the need to put it up, especially if you think of the savings they'll be making on loosing most the staff,

I've heard from a few people now that they're looking at putting a toll on the Blackwall........

The account registration bit went tits up so I haven't got auto-renew yet; not surprised at the increased minimum though - sadly there's fk all anyone can do about it. Toll (cash or stopping) on the Blackwall would've been utter carnage; w/ APR camera's I can't see any reason why they won't implement it. Madness - pay to drive through a tunnel into town & then pay again to drive into the city.

[Humpy D]

I've just had the email advising me that I should change my Dart Tag account to a Dart Charge one but I was interested when it said that from the 30th November if I have a tag I should still show it. What's all that about? I thought it was an ANPR system.

[Humpy D]

I've just had the email advising me that I should change my Dart Tag account to a Dart Charge one but I was interested when it said that from the 30th November if I have a tag I should still show it. What's all that about? I thought it was an ANPR system.

[Cotty]

Gixer said:

I've heard from a few people now that they're looking at putting a toll on the Blackwall........

I heard that as well
http://www.wharf.co.uk/2014/10/silvertown-crossing...

[jagracer]

Cotty said:

I heard that as well
http://www.wharf.co.uk/2014/10/silvertown-crossing...

It'll never happen, the new crossings I mean.

[jagracer]

TCEvo said:

I transferred my DART account yesterday to the new system which apparently takes effect from end of Nov. You can register several cars to one account so no need to retain the box in the car (although it didn't specify this on the site). Whether it all works & whether my remaining balance is transferred remains to be seen of course

I've just migrated my account and the balance shows zero, I rang Dart-tag and they say the balance is transferred to the new company on the 29th

[TCEvo]

jagracer said:

TCEvo said:

I transferred my DART account yesterday to the new system which apparently takes effect from end of Nov. You can register several cars to one account so no need to retain the box in the car (although it didn't specify this on the site). Whether it all works & whether my remaining balance is transferred remains to be seen of course

I've just migrated my account and the balance shows zero, I rang Dart-tag and they say the balance is transferred to the new company on the 29th

Cheers but I'll believe it when I see it!

[TCEvo]

Humpy D said:

I've just had the email advising me that I should change my Dart Tag account to a Dart Charge one but I was interested when it said that from the 30th November if I have a tag I should still show it. What's all that about? I thought it was an ANPR system.

Does it not mean keep the Tag until 30 Nov as thereafter presumably there won't be anything that can read them as you've got to slow right down for the system to recognize.

[Humpy D]

No I think it's talking about after 30th November. Here's an extract from the blurb:-

Currently you may share a tag between vehicles. We will continue to use tags to identify vehicles but once Dart Charge commences, your tag must be fitted in only one vehicle and must not be moved between vehicles. We will always read your vehicle registration, whether you have a tag fitted or not. We can supply extra tags if you make more than ten crossings a month.

There was an article in the Thurrock Gazette saying that for some weeks traffic using the tunnels will still have to stop at the barriers. THis is to prevent over height vehicles or to stop traffic in the event of an incident.

But surely this needs to be a consideration once the new road layout is put into place.

I predict a shambles!!!

[jagracer]

That's an odd one isn't it. "Keep the tag in one vehicle only" I'll keep it in the car I hardly ever use for the crossing so what's the point? Also when you register cars on the new website if you delete a car, it says to return the tag to an address in Leeds

Edited by jagracer on Friday 14th November 16:57

[TCEvo]

Humpy D said:

No I think it's talking about after 30th November. Here's an extract from the blurb:-

Currently you may share a tag between vehicles. We will continue to use tags to identify vehicles but once Dart Charge commences, your tag must be fitted in only one vehicle and must not be moved between vehicles. We will always read your vehicle registration, whether you have a tag fitted or not. We can supply extra tags if you make more than ten crossings a month.

There was an article in the Thurrock Gazette saying that for some weeks traffic using the tunnels will still have to stop at the barriers. THis is to prevent over height vehicles or to stop traffic in the event of an incident.

But surely this needs to be a consideration once the new road layout is put into place.

I predict a shambles!!!

Yep, it'll be a mess. Having to keep the Tag just seems unnecessary & also suggests that post-barriers there will be measures to slow cars right down before entering the tunnels.

[Cotty]

Gixer said:

Yes, did mine yesterday. Set mine up with the auto payment method. Interestingly I noticed the mininum account balance is £10. That's quite a bit of interest they'll be skimming off the back of all our accounts. Currently my low credit warning triggers at £5.

I can't see how that is going to work. If you have £10 and cross four times at £2.50 a go your balance will be £0. I only use it once or twice a year, why can't I just pay for what I use rather than pre-paying.

Its a bit like the oyster card for the bus/train/tube. you load it up with funds then us it until it runs out then put more money on it. But now you can pay with your debit card and just pay for what you use. Why can't this be the same, you just swipe your card att the toll rather than toss money in a basket..

Edited by Cotty on Monday 17th November 13:44

[TCEvo]

Set your account on auto-renew as per Oyster; I believe that for single trips you'll have to phone/txt or whatever pre or post trip to pay (but won't get any account/regular user type discount). Having the option to physically use a debit card would make the toll removal pointless...

[Red Devil]

Cotty said:

Gixer said:

Yes, did mine yesterday. Set mine up with the auto payment method. Interestingly I noticed the mininum account balance is £10. That's quite a bit of interest they'll be skimming off the back of all our accounts. Currently my low credit warning triggers at £5.

I can't see how that is going to work. If you have £10 and cross four times at £2.50 a go your balance will be £0. I only use it once or twice a year, why can't I just pay for what I use rather than pre-paying.

If you only use the crossing infrequently there will be nothing to stop you paying afterwards. It will work just like the London congestion charge - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dart-charge-dar... - just remember to pay before the deadline.

Cotty said:

Its a bit like the oyster card for the bus/train/tube. you load it up with funds then us it until it runs out then put more money on it. But now you can pay with your debit card and just pay for what you use. Why can't this be the same, you just swipe your card att the toll rather than toss money in a basket.

Because to swipe the card you would still need to come to a standstill. It's a lot easier to toss coins in a basket that to faff around reaching out to swipe a card in a slot. Besides, the whole point of removing the toll booths is to eliminate the need to stop at all. Can't come soon enough for me.

Edited by Red Devil on Friday 21st November 00:31