Cashless customer angst - problems with all-electronic tolling

Toll execs like Paul Violette of the Maine Turnpike Authority and others contemplating cashless or all-electronic tolling worry about getting emails from customers like this which we just received:

"Dear sir or madam
I have just received a notice from Cross city tunnel to say I owe them 3.50 plus 10 handling charge for evading paying a toll on sept 21 2006 . I live in the Philippines .I was in Brisbane at the time and did use the toll but I am a 73 yr old pensioner not a teenage  hoon and I have never gone thru a gate without paying. I cant imagine how you could as there is a barrier down until one has paid. As I live in the Philippines I could ignore this accusation but I feel miffed at the thought that someone there is accusing me of a crime .My wife was with me in the car at all times and is as horrified as me.
Yours sincerely
Gerald Greenman"

We think Mr Greenman got confused. There's a City toll tunnel under construction in Brsbane but it's not yet open.

It seems likely he was also in Sydney and traveled the Cross City tunnel there. It is cashless.

We emailed him:

Mr Greenman: Cross City Tunnel in Sydney is all-electronic toll collection. There is no cash collected and no toll barrier. You either have a transponder or you are supposed to get what they call a pass:

http://www.crosscity.com.au/DynamicPages.asp?cid=48&navid=48

But since you didn't know, here is how to pay them:

http://www.crosscity.com.au/etolling/tollnotice.asp

Good luck

Peter Samuel
editor TOLLROADSnews
102 W3rd St #1 Frederick MD 21701 US
301 631 1148 mob-240 446 9736
petersamuel@mac.com

ps Tell your wife she shouldn't be horrified at you because I'm sure the same thing happens with lots of visitors END EMAIL

TOLLROADSnews 2008-12-21