A strategic approach to toll management can increase operational efficiencies
while having a positive impact on the bottom line

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Most experts in commercial transportation and tolling agree that toll is not going anywhere, and with funding needed for infrastructure projects across North America, the miles of tolled roads and bridges will only increase. For a fleet of any size, toll is an expense that is time consuming to manage and can add a great deal of expense quickly.

Ready to save time and money on toll? Bestpass, the commercial toll management experts, has created a list of the top-five things to consider when determining your approach to toll management.

  1. Don’t pay cash. Many tolling authorities will offer a discount for vehicles using a transponder, since cash transactions take more time and require significant overhead for the tolling authority. If you travel frequently on any given toll road, it makes sense to explore transponder options and associated discounts. Using a transponder also allows vehicles to pass more quickly through toll facilities while tracking all fleet toll transactions much more efficiently than using cash.
  2. Take advantage of volume discounts. Beyond the transponder discount, many tolling authorities will also offer commercial fleets volume discounts based on frequency of travel or volume of toll. For example, Bestpass gives small and mid-size fleets access to the highest possible volume discounts, which they would likely not qualify for on their own, with discounts of up to 20 percent available in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Colorado, among others.
  3. Be wary of peak hours. Many tolling authorities charge higher rates during peak hours, primarily to reduce traffic congestion during weekday commutes and other busy times. Whenever possible, it makes good business sense for drivers to use toll roads during non-peak hours, which will allow them to move more quickly along the toll roads and through the tolling facilities while also costing less.
  4. Watch out for violations. Misreads are inevitable, especially with the trend towards increased all-electronic tolling around the country, and not disputing these misreads can lead to a bill that is much more expensive than it should be. Tracking violations and disputing them is a daunting task, especially when reviewing multiple statements and notices from a variety of tolling authorities. However, by paying attention to possible violations, you can keep costs down and pay only for the tolls that were actually incurred.
  5. Minimize back-office inefficiencies. When you have accounts with multiple tolling authorities, you can spend hours or even days every month shuffling invoices and submitting payments through multiple interfaces. Wherever possible, consolidate your toll management. By aggregating multiple tolling accounts, you will save time in the back office while also giving you a more meaningful picture of toll usage across your entire fleet.

Bestpass provides a comprehensive payment platform with a focus on nationwide toll management for commercial fleets of all shapes and sizes. With more than 7,700 customers and more than 600,000 deployed toll transponders in the United States and Canada, Bestpass ensures data accuracy, consolidates payments, delivers invaluable industry expertise, and saves its users time and money. Founded in 2001 by truckers for truckers, Bestpass is now a trusted partner on the road and in the back office for customers, tolling authorities, and related organizations. To learn more, visit www.bestpass.com.