This is a special edition of the AA Newsletter to give important information about Barrier Free Tolling. The next regular edition of AA Newsletter will be sent from Conor Faughnan in September.

M50 barrier free tolling will come into effect at midnight Friday 29th August 2008 (all other toll plazas in the country will keep their barriers). Here, I hope to answer some of the frequently asked questions and guide you in your decision on what method you choose to pay. You should try to make your choice before the end of the month to prepare in advance for your trip on the M50. I have also included preliminary details on what you can expect for the first eight weeks as the West link toll plaza is removed. With an estimated 100,000-120,000 customers passing through each day we urge you to consider the options during August, before it comes into place.

There are 3 methods of payment and the one you choose should depend on how often you travel the M50 bridge and which one is most cost effective to you. The tolls I have quoted below are for cars, tolls for other vehicles will vary.

Regular users of the M50 and other tolled roads will find this the easiest and cheapest option. You can register for an E-Tag electronic account with any one of at least six providers. The cost of the M50 car toll will be €2 and the cost of your E-Tag will vary depending on which company you choose. On a day to day basis this is the cheapest option but bear in mind that there are other costs associated with it. If you are not a regular user of tolled roads this may not be cost effective over the course of the year. Also, bear in mind that if you have a number of vehicles you will need to buy a tag for each vehicle as the tags are not transferable.

You can register your vehicle number plate with eFlow and each time you drive through by car the toll will be €2.50. Bear in mind that this option is limited to the M50 whereas the e-Tag can be used on all tolled roads in Ireland. As with the e-Tag, if you have a number of vehicles you will have to register each vehicle.

You can choose between a prepaid account with a minimum first top up of €40 or choose to receive a bill and set up a direct debit (a post paid account). Although the toll is more expensive than in option 1, there are no initial set up costs or maintenance fees with this method of payment.

If you choose this option contact eFlow : www.eflow.ie or call 1890 501 050 (press 2)

If you have not registered your vehicle in either of the above methods you can still take the M50. You will default to the pay as you go option and the M50 car toll will be €3. This option is also suited to drivers who rarely use the motorway and do not see the need to register their vehicles.

Your number plate will be recorded by cameras on the overhead gantry as you pass the M50 toll and you are required to pay the €3 by 8pm the following day by any of the following methods.

Works to remove the West Link toll plaza will begin on midnight Friday 29th August and could take until late October to complete. At the time of going to print the NRA had yet to finalise full details however, I can give you a good idea of what to expect on the M50 from the end of August until the work is complete.