LNP - Bank card payments for expressway tolls to be implemented from May 1

Bank card transactions will be implemented from May 1 to facilitate toll payments on all expressways, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced. Accordingly, motorists will be able to use their debit and credit cards to pay toll fees. "Currently, only one Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system is available on the Katunayake Expressway, where people can pay the toll using debit and credit cards. Other interchanges still accept only notes and coins," he said. In preparation for the system-wide implementation, the Transport Ministry, in collaboration with the Road Development Authority (RDA), today launched a pilot project at the Kottawa and Kadawatha expressway interchanges to introduce card payment options. As part of the project, it is expected that toll payments can be completed within 8 seconds. However, Minister Rathnayake noted that payment times should not be strictly measured during the pilot phase. The pilot project will continue until May 1. From that date onward, all motorists will be able to make their expressway payments using debit and credit cards at every exit point. Minister Rathnayake added that the introduction of the new system will enhance efficiency on expressways and help prevent illegal and fraudulent activities