Why Is FASTag Important for Transporters?

In February 2021, the Indian government made it mandatory for all vehicles to have FASTags. All lanes in the toll plazas on national highways were declared as “FASTag lanes”. You might have wondered what FASTag actually is, how to get one, and how to recharge your FASTag. Well, we’ve got you covered. This article will help you understand everything about FASTags.

What is FASTag?

FASTag uses a reloadable card that is fixed to a vehicle. When the vehicle travels past a toll gate, the toll charge is automatically collected and the tag holder does not need to stop at the toll plaza. To conduct cashless payments, FASTag employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

When the QR code and tag identification number are read by an RFID antenna in the toll gate canopy, the boom barrier is raised to enable the vehicle to pass through. The color of the FASTag is different for various vehicles. There are black, blue, green, pink, orange, and violet tags. Different vehicles are represented by different colors.

FASTag Price and Validity

The validity of all FASTags is unlimited. Users can request a new FASTag from the issuer if their old one becomes ineligible due to wear and tear. The issuer must be notified right away if the FASTag is lost or stolen. For those who own multiple vehicles, each must have its own FASTag.

Depending on the kind of vehicle, a refundable security deposit is required. This payment is repaid upon the closing of the FASTag account.

The FASTag price for activation is Rs. 100. After that, you can recharge as and when you travel through highways. Online recharges are subject to a convenience fee, which varies by bank and payment type.

Types of FASTags

There are two types of FASTags:

1. Bank-specific FASTags:

Bank-specific FASTags are provided by 22 banks at their branches. To increase accessibility, you can also get FASTags issued by banks in toll plazas operated by the assigned banks. Prepaid wallets connected to FASTags are provided by the banks that issued them.

2. NHAI FASTags

NHAI-FASTags are not tied to any specific financial institution. After making a purchase, these FASTags must be activated by the purchaser. You can go to the Indian Highways Management Company Limited's official website to search for your nearest point of sale for FASTags.

How to Get a FASTag

Banks such as Axis, Bank of Baroda, City Union, ICICI, HDFC, and SBI, among many other banks, provide FASTags as well as online FAStags. These FASTag banks do this through their branches or online through their websites or services. All toll plazas, Paytm, e-commerce websites like Amazon, and Road Transport Authority (RTA) offices are also issuing FASTags at the NHAI's points of sale. Customers who purchase the tags online can use a mobile app called 'My FASTag' to track their progress. You can also go to your bank's website or app to apply for FASTag. The card will be delivered to your home.

FASTag application documentation requirements include a copy of the vehicle's registration certificate, passport-sized photos of the car owner, identification and residence evidence, and a copy of the vehicle's insurance policy.

Major Banks that Issue FASTags

Benefits of FASTags

• Economical: Online FASTag helps you save on both fuel and time. All toll plazas are now equipped with tag readers. As soon as you pass through it, the FASTag is scanned and the money is deducted from your bank account. You can also use FASTag's prepaid wallet to do this.
• Convenient: All of us have seen endless queues at toll plazas. You can easily skip these queues with FASTag. By not waiting in queues, you save on fuel.
• Easy online recharge: FASTag's online recharge option makes it even easier to use. There are other ways to top up your FASTag account: credit and debit cards, NEFT/RTGS/Internet banking, and so on. The only thing you'll need is access to the internet.
• Hassle-free: With FASTag, you don't have to worry about paying for tolls with exact change or cash. You can just drive by.
• Keep track of your expenses: All the transactions you do at toll plazas are automatically recorded. You get an SMS as well as an email alert for the same. You can go to your account details or prepaid wallet app to see how much you have spent on FASTag. You can also check your entire FASTag transactions on the FASTag portal.
• Environmental-friendly: Because receipts are never exchanged at toll plazas, FASTag does not need paper.
• Cashbacks and other incentives: FASTag has a few more advantages as well. For example, the GOI has permitted cash-back incentives for FASTag users. Because the FASTag is valid for five years from the date of issue, you won't have to worry about getting a new one as often.

How to Recharge Your FASTag

Typically, you need a bank to issue you a FASTag. After you have been issued one, it is very easy to recharge. You can use platforms such as Paytm, Freecharge, PhonePe, etc. for recharging. Additionally, you can also use your bank’s app or website to do so. Most platforms require the same set of information. Therefore, if you know how to recharge in one app, you can easily do it on other apps as well. Here is how you can recharge your FASTag through Paytm:

1. Start by clicking on the FASTag recharge online option on Paytm’s app or website.
2. Choose the bank that issued your FASTag.
3. Enter the VIN/Vehicle Identification Number of your vehicle.
4. Input the recharge amount. Then, click on "Proceed" and then "Enter".
5. You can pay using a debit card, credit card, net banking, Paytm wallet or UPI, depending on your preferred method of payment. The UPI option is not available on Paytm right now.

Here’s How You Can Use UPI for FASTag Recharge Online

1. Use your Android or iPhone and open the Google Pay app.
2. Now, click on the Add a New Payment option to begin the process.
3. In the search box, enter "FASTag".
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page to identify your FASTag's issuing bank, and then choose the correct one.
5. Once you've done that, click on “Get Started”.
6. Your vehicle number and a user name or the model name of your vehicle will now be required for further access.
7. At the bottom of the screen, click on the Link Account 24-hour cut-off button.
8. Take a look at your account details and confirm all the details such as VIN and account holder name.
9. As soon as you're done, click Link accounts to complete the process. Google Pay is now integrated with your FASTag account.
10. You'll now be taken to the page where you can access your FASTag account. To complete the transaction, tap on the Pay button.
11. Go to the bottom of the screen and tap on the button that says Pay Now.
12. To complete the payment, you'll have to input your UPI pin into the Google Pay app.

FASTag Charges for Vehicles

FASTag Charge for Round Trips

What formula does FASTag use to figure out how much it costs for a round trip?

For the initial journey, FASTag charges the cost of a single trip; for subsequent journeys, it charges the difference between those first and subsequent trips.

If a single journey costs Rs. 20 and a round trip costs Rs. 35, for example,

A.      Rs.20 is taken from a customer's FASTag account each time they pass the toll.

B.      When the consumer returns, a sum of Rs.15 is withdrawn from the account.

C.      A further Rs. 20 is taken from the FASTag account, if the client passes the toll a second time.

Toll plazas have different time limits, so check the details for your specific toll plaza. Depending on the toll plaza, customers may have a 24-hour window between when they pay the toll and when they return. Some toll plazas might have a cut-off time of midnight while others have one at noon.

If you have a problem with your tag, call the bank that issued it and provide your cell phone number, the car registration number, and the tag ID.

Difficulties Faced by Transporters with FASTags

• Paperwork Problems: Many small-scale service providers in the Indian trucking sector may experience paperwork challenges when they upgrade their older vehicles to Bharat Stage (BS)-VI pollution control trucks, which account for 90% of the market share in the Indian trucking business.
• Double Charges: A truck driver can join the wrong lane and pay two tolls because they are ignorant of the difference between cash and hybrid FASTag lanes. According to the present standards, FASTag lanes can only be used by those who already have a FASTag card, while conventional cash lanes must be used by anybody else. When using the FASTag lane, cash users will be charged twice as much for the toll.
• Incorrect Cash Deductions: The toll price is automatically withdrawn from the user's account when a FASTag vehicle utilizes FASTag to pay the toll fee after the vehicle crosses the toll plaza. Recently, there have been cases of multiple incorrect cash deductions. Trucking firms close to a toll plaza obtain a reduction on their toll fees since they use that particular toll plaza often. Due to their frequent usage of the plaza, the government receives minimal payment from these enterprises rather than the real amount. Tolls are being doubled since these vehicles are spending on FASTag while paying the minimal rate.
• FASTag Refund Issue: Although the FASTag wallet may be refilled online using Paytm and several bank channels, the application for refunds must be made physically to the authorities situated near the toll plazas.
• Outdated Infrastructure: Toll plazas are facing difficulties due to the quick introduction of FASTag, which is causing new customers to have difficulty adjusting to the new system. All toll-payers are affected by this situation.
• Issue when Linking Bank Account: Users have the option of connecting their bank account to the FASTag app or refilling their FASTag wallet through the internet. As a result of security concerns and the difficulty of handling different tolls, carriers are reluctant to link their bank accounts to their FASTag wallets in the current environment.

Conclusion

FASTags were introduced for the benefit of transporters as well. These RFID-enabled, 24-hour tags have made things easier for carriers. Likewise, Vahak also makes the lives of transporters and truck/lorry owners easier! Vahak helps transporters and shippers find loads and lorries for their businesses within minutes! Moreover, you can also create your online brand on the Vahak transport app. Expand your transport business across India and connect with verified transporters - join Vahak today!