"eTag時代來臨"

2014年對開車族來說真是一大改變呀！高速公路收費員的收費方式已正式走入歷史，全面採用無人的驗票機制。另一方面，高速公路也全面採用計程費率，每一台車每天都有免費20公里的優惠。這對於原本往返於收費站兩端的駕駛人來說，更是一大福音。

不過，採用計費新制也不是完全沒有負面的聲音。除了原本收費員轉職不順利外，目前已有少部份民眾發現，有時候會被新的計費系統多扣錢的問題。另外還有人對於政府將eTag委外的合約裡，有圖利廠商的嫌疑。

不過，整體而言，全面採用收費自動化與計程收費制度，其優點還是大於缺點。如果我們的政府能夠與人民站在一起，嚴格要求遠通電收公司能夠依約履行，並改善系統的穩定性與準確性，相信最終多數民眾，還是會支持這個政策。

(Local) Era of ETag Begins

2014 has been a year of sweeping changes for motorists. The countrys manually operated freeway toll system has officially become history, while an automatic toll system has been launched across the country. Drivers will now be charged based on the distances they travel on the freeways, with every vehicle allotted 20 free kilometers per day. This change is without a doubt good news for those who used to travel in between toll booths.

That said, there have been complaints against the new toll system. Apart from the difficulties faced by the laid-off toll collectors in their career transition, a number of people have also reported incidences of being overcharged by the new toll system. Furthermore, some people have accused the government of having made a shady deal with Far Eastern Electronic Toll Collection Co (FETC), the eTag contractor.

Overall, however, the benefits of the across-the-board implementation of the automatic toll system and distance-based charging system still outweigh the downsides. If our government can side with public and press FETC into fulfilling the terms and conditions of their contract and improving the stability and accuracy of the eTag system, surely the majority of the public will come around to its policy in the end.

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