Odisha govt launches FasTag service for OSRTC buses

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government in collaboration with State Bank of India launched the FasTag service for OSRTC buses on Tuesday.

FasTag is an automated toll tax collection mechanism, which enables commuters to pay the tax without stopping at toll booths.

The OSRTC buses will be provided with the smart tag, which will automatically decipher the signal, courtesy RFID (radio frequency identification) technology.

Commerce and Transport Minister Dr Nrusingha Sahu on Tuesday launched the FasTag service for OSRTC buses, which will be implemented in all the 180 toll plazas in the state.

Talks are on to implement the mechanism on all the Government and private buses by April.

FASTag is the brand name given to automated “Electronic Toll Collection System” launched by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways with National Highway Authority of India.

The RFID technology used in the tag allows users to travel nonstop through dedicated FASTag lane at toll checker booths, automated scanning of RFID tag on vehicle’s windscreen deducts toll charges from the linked pre-paid/post-paid account without stopping for the cash transaction.

The technology not only saves users time but also helps save fuel as one does not wait for cash transaction and clears traffic quickly. FASTag is presently operational at 180 toll plazas across national and state highways.

OSRTC is now paying around Rs, 1.70 crores per annum for toll fees at different toll plazas, said an official.

The roads ministry will provide a discount of 7.5% on the toll fee for using these tags.