Rapid Development of ETC RFID system in Beijing
ETC (electronic toll collection) RFID system is a better solution for urban traffic congested problems. China operated ETC RFID system for trial since 2004 at Chinese south-eastern coastal areas, despite a marked effect to solve congestion; the system did not receive widespread coverage. For the car owners to enjoy an express ETC RFID service, they need to pay 450 Chinese Yuan (about 70 US Dollars) to buy a RFID car tag, which is the reason they would rather choose to waiting in a long queue to pay by cash.
Huaxia Bank, a small Chinese bank, their Beijing branch with Beijing Highway Electronic Toll System Co., Ltd. lunched a joint bank card called “Sutong Card”. Registered user of “Sutong card” can enjoy 5% off discount of high-way tolls by use ETC RFID system and the user’ highway tolls automatically transfer from “Sutong Card” accounts. Most important, user of “China-speed Card” will receive RFID car tag free of charge.
As far as I know, the total number of ETC RFID users in Beijing is about 170,000 by earlier this year, but 30,000 “Sutong Card” has already issued within 45 days of card launched. Consider there are 5 million vehicles registered in Beijing city, I believe a huge market prospects for ETC RFID system.