An Post puts blame on NRA for delays in delivering toll tags
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Paul Melia
AN POST has said any delays in motorists getting their electronic tags for use on Dublin's M50 before it goes barrier-free on Saturday night are not its fault.
Company sources said yesterday it was ready to begin posting the tags last week, but only started receiving them on Monday.
And they claim the National Roads Authority (NRA) has fallen behind in sending the tags out to customers. An Post had expected to start receiving tens of thousands of tags for posting last week but none arrived.
"There are absolutely no postal delays, all tags received by An Post have gone out," the source said.
The comments came after further teething problems with the electronic tag system emerged yesterday. Some motorists who registered for a video account have been told they will receive electronic tags, despite not requesting them.
A letter to one customer reads: "Dear Customer, thank you for registering with eFlow as a 'tag' customer. The distribution of our eFlow tags will commence on Monday August 25, 2008 and will continue throughout that week.
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"In the event that you do not receive your eFlow tag before the start of M50 barrier-free tolling on August 30, don't worry. You can continue to use the M50 and your trips will be charged at the tag toll rate pending your tag delivery."
The NRA made no comment last night when contacted.
Earlier this week it emerged that tens of thousands of motorists who registered for tags might not receive them until after the M50 goes barrier-free this weekend, which will see commuters paying the toll using three payment systems.
The first will allow motorists to register for an electronic toll account, which will result in trips costing €2. The second requires motorists to register the number plate of their vehicle -- a video account -- for which the toll will be €2.50, while the third system is "pay as you go", with motorists paying the toll by phone, online or at more than 1,000 retailers.
This is the most expensive option, with customers forced to pay €3 per trip.
Concerns have been raised by some of the 55,000 customers who have registered for tags with the NRA's eflow.ie system that they will be charged higher rates if they do not receive the tags in time.
But the NRA said all customers should receive them by Friday.
- Paul Melia
