On-board units (OBU) which road transport operators will use in the Slovak electronic toll collection system will also work for the collection system in the planned European Electronic Toll Service. However, the full inter-operability of e-toll systems requires agreements to be concluded among individual EU states. SkyToll, which is to launch an e-toll system in Slovakia as of January 1, 2010, estimates that this process will take several years, the SITA newswire wrote.
Thanks to the satellite-based e-toll system, Slovakia has a unique opportunity to participate in
unification of the electronic toll system in the European Union. The satellite system for toll collection will be introduced in all EU member states in the future.
“We welcome the decision of the European Union and perceive it as a positive step in favour of transport operators,” said the company in response to the decision of the European Commission on preparation of inter-operability in the road toll system in the European Union. “The fact that the satellite e-toll system in Slovakia will be among the world’s most technologically advanced opens space for us to introduce the e-toll in other states of the EU."
The decision, which the EC adopted on October 6, sets basic technical specifications and requirements necessary for implementation of the European Electronic Toll Service. This service should be available for all vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and vehicles designed for transport of more than nine passengers including the driver within three years. For all other vehicles this service should be available within five years.
In Slovakia the e-toll system will be launched as of January 1, 2010 for trucks weighing over 3.5 tons and vehicles designed for transport of more than nine passengers including the driver on about 2,000 kilometres of highways and parallel first class roads.
Compiled by Jana Liptáková from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
