VIDEO: How new Croatian motorway toll system will work

How Croatia’s new motorway toll system will work

Croatia is launching a new toll collection system across its motorways, designed to ease congestion and streamline the payment process for drivers.

A new informational video has been posted on the Na hrvatskim cestama YouTube channel, providing key details about the new toll collection system set to be implemented in Croatia.

The video covers the key aspects of the new system and is divided into several sections.

The introduction explains the shortcomings of the current toll collection method, followed by a presentation of the new system being introduced.

It details how the new system will function, including fast lanes for registration, toll points, and mobile payment units. The video also mentions the contractors involved in the project and the expected timeline for the system’s rollout.

Additionally, it explores possibilities for reducing congestion at toll points.

The contract for implementing the new system, valued at just under 80 million euros, was signed with SkyToll from Slovakia and TollNet from the Czech Republic in September at the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure.

The groundwork for the project is set to begin in four to five months. It will involve setting up the infrastructure with cameras and lasers to detect licence plates and ENC devices. As for the toll booths themselves, plans are underway for their removal, though a specific timeline has not yet been confirmed, according to Večernji list.

“The removal of booths is part of the Croatian Motorways project and will occur in multiple phases. The frontal booths will likely be removed first, followed by the side ones,” explained HAC’s CEO, Boris Huzjan.

As for the staff currently working in these booths, Huzjan mentioned, “Some will leave through natural attrition with incentive severance packages, while others will be retrained, as there will still be work available, particularly in the mobile units team that will be in direct communication with the central system to monitor unpaid tolls.”

So, how will the new toll collection system work?

Drivers will have two payment options: purchasing an ENC device or registering a bank card, from which the toll fee will be automatically deducted.

The ENC option will be mandatory for freight vehicles, and all ENC devices will now be linked to the registration number of a single vehicle and must be displayed on the front windscreen at all times.

The second option, using a bank card, will involve providing card details on a designated website that will be launched soon.

For those not comfortable using the internet, registration can be completed at HAC sales offices, Bina and AZM, at sales partner locations (such as petrol stations and vehicle inspection stations), or directly on motorways at dedicated “fast registration lanes” before entry.

In these lanes, the vehicle will briefly stop, allowing the system to automatically recognise the number plate and enabling the driver to enter their bank card details.