As part of developing an integrated and technology-based transportation system in Bangladesh, the country's first integrated cashless tolling service 'D-Toll' has been launched on Padma Bridge during this Eid Yatra.
As a result of this initiative run by Aspire to Innovate (a2i), vehicle drivers no longer have to stop at toll plazas and pay cash. As the opportunity to pay tolls quickly and seamlessly is created in an automated manner, it is playing an important role in dealing with the pressure of additional vehicles centered on Eid.
Abdullah Al Fahim, Head of Program Management at a2i, said that so far, more than 10,000 vehicles have been registered in this system and more than 70 million taka toll transactions have been completed. He said, "The introduction of D-Toll has increased comfort in travel, reduced traffic congestion and saved a huge amount of working hours."
D-Toll is an open and interconnected tolling platform based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. It enables automatic toll collection using the existing BRTA RFID tags of vehicles. As a result, there is no need to purchase a separate device or on-board unit, which makes the service more convenient, affordable and inclusive for general users.
Currently, this service has been introduced on a trial basis on the Padma Bridge in stages and a significant number of vehicles are using D-Toll every day. Its use has increased further on the occasion of Eid. Users can pay tolls through various banks, mobile financial services and digital wallets.
Currently, D-Toll's payment partners include bKash, Nagad, Tap, Upaya, City Bank, Dhaka Bank, Islami Bank, Jamuna Bank, Midland Bank, Mutual Trust Bank (MTB), NCC Bank and Prime Bank. Those concerned said that more banks and digital wallets will be added to this platform in phases, so that users can easily receive services under an integrated national tolling system.
One of the important aspects of the D-Toll platform is that it is moving towards the implementation of the concept of “One Nation, One Tolling System”. In light of the government’s directives, work is underway to develop a uniform national tolling platform to make the country’s toll system integrated, cashless and technology-based. Through this, it will be possible to pay tolls using the same RFID and the same digital wallet on various bridges, expressways and toll roads in the country in the future.
After the successful implementation on the Padma Bridge, there are plans to gradually expand D-Toll to other important bridges and expressways in the country, including the Jamuna Bridge. To this end, activities are underway to build a complete national interconnected tolling ecosystem in collaboration with the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, the Roads and Highways Department and other toll operators.
According to those concerned, this initiative will not only make the toll collection system modern and transparent, but will also make a significant contribution to expanding digital transactions, increasing financial inclusion, reducing traffic congestion and ensuring fast and safe travel.
