Everything You Need to Know About FASTag RFID: Electronic Toll Collection

In the last few days, we have been hearing and seeing "FASTag" a lot. People are discussing it, and many are receiving mails about it. FASTag is based on RFID technology.

We know that RFID technology has been successful and effective for tracking and providing crucial data information.

In India, FASTag is also using the same technology for the same purpose. However, many people do not have complete information about it. Therefore, we are discussing everything you need to know about FASTag.

What is FASTag?

What is FASTag According to Wikipedia

"FASTag uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it, or directly to the toll owner.  

FASTag device was recently launched in India. It will be used via an electronic toll collection system in India, operated by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).  

In simple words, FASTag is an easy-to-use, reloadable tag that allows the automatic deduction of toll charges and lets you pass through the toll plaza, eliminating the need for cash transactions.

What is the objective of implementing FASTag?

Some of the major FASTag objectives in our Infizo Stock management software are given below:

- Save fuel

- Pollution reduction

- Reducing the waiting time

- Providing quality service

- Enhancing digitalization

- Enhancing data collection

- Accommodating more vehicles in less time

Is FASTag mandatory for everyone?  

Yes, FASTag is mandatory for everyone! It does not matter if your vehicle is private or commercial. Vehicles without FASTags will have to pay a fine twice the normal rate at toll gates across the country. Therefore, it is important for everyone.

What are the benefits of FASTag?

Several benefits of FASTag are given below:

- Cash issue solved forever - Remember how chaotic and frustrating it becomes when you do not have cash, so you provide your credit card and, from behind, the driver does not stop honking. Now, with FASTag, you travel hassle-free, with smooth and cashless transactions.

- Save fuel and time - No more long queues and wasting time at toll plazas! Thanks to FASTag technology, it can make direct payments with the vehicle. This whole process will take less than a minute.

- Recharge on the go - Just simply recharge your connected account via Debit/Credit Card, NEFT, RTGS, or Net Banking & you are good to go. Through Paytm, you can also recharge.

- SMS notification - Every time your account gets debited at a toll plaza, you will receive an alert. Therefore, it is easy to track the details about your account.

- Cashback & offers - For every transaction, you get 2.5 percent cashback, and soon, other offers will also be executed.

How does FASTag work?

Enabled FASTag vehicles will not have to stop at the toll gate for the transaction. FASTag is stickered on the front glass, and the reader reads the FASTag, and the transaction takes place. It will take place directly from the prepaid or bank account. The whole process will be done electronically under the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program.

What are the documents required for FASTag?

For getting a FASTag account, an individual can submit any of the government-issued ID cards like Driving License, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID Card, Aadhar Card, etc.  

Customers are required to submit the following documents along with the application for creating a new account:

- Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle.

- Passport size photograph of the vehicle owner.

- KYC documents. The KYC documents vary as per the category of vehicle, i.e., individual and corporate.

When was FASTag introduced?  

In 2014, FASTags were set up as a key project in the Golden Quadrilateral between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. By 2016, 347 toll plazas on national highways started accepting FASTag payments.

Do I need a specific account for FASTag?

If the FASTag is already connected with your bank account, then there is no compelling reason to insert money into a prepaid wallet. You just need to make sure that your FASTag-connected account has an adequate amount to transact at toll plazas.  

In case you have connected the FASTag to a prepaid wallet, you may recharge through different channels, for example, payment through cheque or through UPI/debit card/credit card/NEFT/Net Banking.

How can you get a FASTag?

You can buy FASTags from bank branches or from the online services of banks including Axis, ICICI, IDFC, SBI, HDFC, Paytm Payments, Kotak Mahindra, Syndicate, Federal, PNB, City Union, Yes Bank, Union Bank, and more.  

These FASTags are also being issued at the NHAI's points of sale at all toll plazas, Paytm, e-commerce websites like Amazon, and Road Transport Authority (RTA) offices.  

A "My FASTag" app is also available, to buy the tags online.  

The FASTag purchased from any of the platforms online, bank, or wallet, the tag will be delivered to the customer's given address.

How to recharge your FASTags through Paytm or Bank Account?

The customer will have to add money to its Paytm wallet, and the FASTag wallet will automatically reserve an amount from it. There is no separate recharge of Paytm FASTag required. The toll tax amount will directly get deducted from the wallet, and the customer will be notified through a message alert.

NOTE:

1. FASTag can be used for toll payments only after 20 mins of adding money to the Payment wallet.

2. In the case of FASTag linked with a bank account, the amount of toll tax will be deducted from the customer's bank account directly and will get notified through a message alert.

3. If the adequate balance is not maintained by the customer, the FASTag will get blacklisted at the toll gate entries.

4. One FASTag will be used only for one vehicle. If you have two vehicles, you will have to buy 2 separate FASTags.

What will be the whole working process of FASTag?

First of all, you will have to buy a FASTag (as told above), stick it on your car, synchronize it with your vehicle, mobile application, and load sufficient money in your bank or prepaid wallet. You are good to go!  

At the toll plaza, the scanner will scan the tag, the payment automatically processes, and the amount deducted from the account/prepaid wallet, and the user will receive an SMS alert about the transaction and balance left in the account.

Conclusion  

The idea behind implementing FASTag is to encourage contactless payment at the toll plaza. This will increase digital payment, after that reducing traffic jams and unnecessary time wasting. Other than saving fuel that results in pollution. FASTag RFID is efficient and effective.

‍How can we say that?  

Because our organization (Infizo Stock) provides an RFID system for asset tracking as one of our major services. Therefore, we know how powerful it is if used smartly and creatively.