ACS

Sloppy packing of new E-ZPass transponders by ACS, the Xerox subsidiary seems to have led to a problem of toll transactions being charged in transit - before delivery - to customers. The transponders are supposed to be shipped in a metallic coated plastic pouch that shields the transponders from radio frequency toll gantry signal transactions in transit.

Spain's ACS/Dragados has agreed to sell two of its major Chilean toll holdings to the Canadian Brookfield Asset Management of Toronto. Brookfield will get a majority interest in the Autopista Vespucio Norte tollroad and the Tunel San Cristobal in Santiago Chile for $340m.

Alan P Allegretto is the new head of tolls at ACS, taking the position previously held by Ken Philmus. Philmus continues at ACS but not in a day to day management role. He has held the position formally "Senior Vice President and Managing Director Transportation Systems and Services"  - that is mostly toll industry work - at ACS since December 2008.

The nation's second biggest toll authority seems to be backing out of a decision May 25 by their Board of Commissioners construction committee to award a $81.9m contract to ETC Corp for replacing their toll system.

Electronic Transaction Consultants Corp (ETC) the Dallas TX based toll systems and services provider is being considered for purchase by Xerox/ACS and by Kapsch, according to several toll industry sources. None of those involved want to be quoted.

ACS, A Xerox Company, to Keep Los Angeles Drivers Moving with Electronic Toll Collection for New Express Lanes

ACS, A Xerox Company, Helping Maryland Drivers Get There Quicker with All-Electronic Road

A toll collector at the Ohio Turnpike told us a couple of weeks back that the fancy new Automatic Toll Payment Machines (ATPMs) they've been introducing are "buggy," that motorists have trouble understanding them, that they've shorted out in rainstorms and their money bins have filled with rainwater. He said he personally had been required to "babysit" the machines.

A Xerox ACS official tells us veteran toller Alan Allegretto is joining them to be a Leader Toll Collection Operations working directly to Ken Philmus. His formal title will be Vice President Transportation Solutions

Senior ACS officials tell us that the ACS brand could be phased out quite quickly in favor of Xerox, their new parent company. For now it is "ACS, a Xerox company" (see new logo below) but soon all ACS products and services will be sold under the Xerox brand.