Eazy Pass Withdraw 2nd Lane on M50

INFORMATION BULLETIN RE WEST-LINK TOLL PLAZA LANE CHANGES


Eazy Pass customers at West-Link will be aware that the layout at the
Plaza was changed at the end of July, with the introduction of a
second dedicated Eazy Pass lane in each direction.

The second lane was introduced as part of a strong marketing campaign
to encourage the migration to electronic tolling, as Eazy Pass lanes
process twice the number of vehicles per hour than a cash/operator
lane.

The introduction of the second lane and supporting marketing campaign
generated a large number of new Eazy Pass applications. However, the
removal of the automatic 'basket' lane in order to provide the second
Eazy Pass lane had an adverse effect on traffic flows through the
Plaza, as the queues to the one remaining automatic 'basket' lane
blocked the Eazy Pass lanes. The experience of Eazy Pass customers is
that while their passage through the Plaza has improved, the queues
experienced approaching the Plaza have increased. Therefore, the
overall journey time for all M50 users has deteriorated.

As a result of the above, NTR Roads has decided to withdraw the
second Eazy Pass lane at West-Link in the short-term with effect from
Monday, 29th August 2005. While still fully committed to the
introduction of full electronic tolling, we believe this decision is
in the best interests of all our customers using the Plaza.

NTR Roads is progressing a number of additional initiatives to
improve traffic flows through the Plaza including:

- Re-aligning the M50 and N4 northbound approaches to the bridge
to provide an unimpeded Eazy Pass lane on the right-hand side of the
bridge
- Introducing a new supervisory and camera system to identify
"problem" transactions in the Eazy Pass lanes - these are in the main
caused by users who do not attach their Eazy Pass tag to their
windscreen. If the tag is not mounted it can lead to sporadic delays
in the tag being registered. A delay of just 30 seconds can lead to a
queue of 8 to 10 vehicles which is a source of frustration for other
Eazy Pass customers. We encourage Eazy Pass customers who require a
replacement tag holder to contact us.
- An extensive video-based study of our cash customers and a
Behaviour & Attitudes customer survey will be conducted to identify
usage patterns, which will help us determine how to attract frequent
and peak time users to migrate to electronic tolling
- In conjunction with the NRA, in the coming months NTR Roads
will be introducing gantry (overhead) signage well in advance of the
Plaza to help identify lanes and payment options.


As you will be aware, the upgrade of the M50 is due to commence later
this year. This upgrade will include the introduction of full
electronic tolling which, over time, will require the migration of
cash customers to Eazy Pass. Our analysis, research and experience of
the first dedicated Eazy Pass lane, which opened in July 2004,
indicated that a second dedicated lane at this stage would encourage
and facilitate that migration.

Unfortunately, this has not been the case. If we are to manage the
balance between the traffic flow through the Plaza and the overall
M50 performance, we need to encourage a greater uptake of Eazy Pass,
particularly by frequent and peak time users. The initiatives
outlined above will, we believe, further demonstrate the benefits of
Eazy Pass and increase usage of the system. This will allow NTR Roads
to assess the timing of the re-introduction of the second dedicated
Eazy Pass lane at West-Link.

NTR Roads very much regrets any inconvenience to our Eazy Pass
customers. However, we firmly believe that this decision is in the
best of interests of all our customers.


Kyran Hurley
Managing Director
NTR Roads


We would welcome your comments / feedback to: info@eazypass.ie

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CCOVICH said:

Any idea why the pass has to be mounted behind the rear view mirror? Or if you have a moisture sensor, on this? I have just bought a new (used) car, and the pass doesn't really attach well in the suggested location, so I haven't attached it. And from personal experience, I don't believe that not mounting the pass costs 30 second delays (not from what I've seen)

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