Daily News Briefs, April 28, 2023

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Conduent Introduces Digital Payments Service For Toll Agencies

Conduent Transportation announced that it is offering “first-of-their-kind” digital toll payment solutions that facilitate real-time payments over a network powered by the firm’s new Digital Integrated Payments Hub. The company says the solutions make billing and collection quicker, less expensive and more reliable for transportation agencies, while giving customers a convenient and secure method of payment. Conduent uses an example to illustrate how the network can function on behalf of a toll entity: If an electronic tolling account has insufficient funds to cover a transaction, the network will quickly send an SMS (electronic text) notification to the vehicle’s registered owner, offering a real-time digital payment option. If it is accepted, Conduent’s payment hub will automatically generate a bill and route it to the owner’s bank account. The owner will receive a notification from the bank that allows her to authorize an immediate payment to the toll account. “Overall program benefits to the public,” says Conduent, “include reduced violation rates and late fees because invoices and charges now can be paid immediately. People will gain improved convenience, flexibility and control over their payments, accounts and funds. For example, drivers can schedule future payments without needing to maintain an account balance.” The digital payments solutions are made possible through the integrated payments hub Conduent launched last November in collaboration with BNY Mellon.

Conduent ETC Systems Information Technology Resources and Acquisitions Mobile Payment Systems

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Osceola Parkway Toll Plaza And Ramps Will Go Cashless On Monday

Osceola News-Gazette reports, “After Osceola County [Florida] announced Osceola Parkway toll collections will transition to an All-Electronic Tolling (AET) system by Monday, May 1, a portion of the Parkway between Osceola Trail Road (Oasis at Shingle Creek) and Flora Boulevard will close on Friday, May 5 at 10 p.m. to remove the Shingle Creek Mainline Toll Plaza toll canopy and toll booths. The toll booths have been replaced with a newly installed electronic toll gantry that will allow for the free flow of traffic without having to stop and pay the toll. It is expected to re-open by 5 a.m. Monday, May 8.”

AET (All-Electronic Tolling) ETC Systems Florida Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Open-Road Tolling Osceola County (Florida)

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Texas Lawmakers Pass EV Registration Fee Bill

The Dallas Morning News reports, “Electric vehicle owners might have to pay $200 annual fees under a bill the Texas House [yesterday] sent Gov. Greg Abbott.” SB 505 backers included the author, Senate Transportation Committee chair Robert Nichols (R-3), and anti-toll activist Terri Hall. Advocates said “the higher vehicle-registration fees are needed to make EVs pay their fair share of highway costs. A national consumer group and a leading Texas environmentalist called $200 a ‘punitive’ amount that would slow adoption of the less-polluting vehicles.” The bill passed both legislative chambers by overwhelming margins.

According to “Land Line” Magazine, “As popularity grows around the country for electric and hybrid vehicles, state officials are pursuing opportunities to make sure they will be able to capture needed transportation revenue from affected vehicle owners. There are at least 32 states that impose a special registration fee for plug-in electric vehicles, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Of those, 19 states also assess a fee on plug-in hybrid vehicles. Fees range from about $50 annually for plug-in electric vehicles in Colorado, Hawaii and South Dakota to $225 yearly for plug-in electric vehicles in Washington.”

Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Texas Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

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These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

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