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Mersey Tunnel tolls could be
frozen
MERSEY Tunnel tolls could be frozen for
2017 to 2018, with Merseytravel Committee Members asked to recommend to the
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, that there be no change to charges
when they meet, on Thursday, 2 February 2017. The recommendations of the
Merseytravel Committee will help inform the Combined Authority's decision on the
toll levels at their meeting next Friday, 3 February 2017. Should the
recommendations be implemented, the Fast Tag toll would stay at ?1.20 for car
users and the cash toll, at ?1.70. Therefore, regular tunnel users who pay using
the Fast Tag can, once again, save ?5 a week compared to paying the cash toll.
2015 to 2016 saw 51% of journeys through the Tunnels, by Fast Tag; the 1st year
that the majority of travellers have taken advantage of the discount the tag
brings. Other recommendations made in the tunnel tolls report to be
considered at the meeting include continuing other initiatives introduced in
2016; emergency services liveried vehicles receiving free travel through the
Mersey Tunnels, as well as free travel for all users between 10pm on 24 December
and 6am on 26 December in recognition that public transport services are not
available during these times. Frank Rogers, Interim Chief Executive of
Merseytravel, said:- "As always, it is for political members to take a
decision on the tunnel toll levels. However, reflecting on the past year, it is
encouraging to see people taking advantage of the benefits that a Fast Tag can
bring. For the 1st time Fast Tag customers now represent the majority of tunnel
usage, but there are still many more people who can benefit from these savings."
Fast Tags are available to everyone, not just regular travellers, and are issued
free of charge and tunnel users are encouraged to order 1. As well as the
savings drivers can make, there are also dedicated Fast Tag lanes, at each
Tunnel Plaza. Fast Tag offers 'stored value' meaning that
customers' money stays in their Fast Tag account until it is used, no matter how
long that is. |
