China's ETC users surpass 100 mln

The number of electronic toll collection (ETC) users in China has surpassed 100 million, according to China's Ministry of Transport.

Currently, over 580,000 ETC devices are installed daily, sources with the ministry said.

Early in May, the transport ministry issued a circular to popularize the use of ETC devices, with the aim to make 80 percent of registered automobiles and more than 90 percent of vehicles on freeways install ETC devices by the end of the year.

Since the release of the circular, the issuing institutions of ETC devices have expanded distribution channels, promoted free and easy installation of ETC devices and granted a discount of no less than 5 percent on freeway tolls for ETC users, said the ministry.

The rapid popularization of ETC has laid a solid foundation for removing all expressway toll booths at provincial borders by the end of the year in China, said the ministry sources.

Through the moves, China aims to help solve the problem of expressway traffic congestion, enhance traffic efficiency and reduce logistics costs.