Road trips have in the recent past evolved into a preferred form of leisure for individuals and families who seek to traverse the open road. With highway infrastructure and toll booths still advancing, the addition of FASTag has significantly facilitated travel on Indian main roads. While the use of FASTag has made traveling a lot easier, it is vital to keep the balance of an optimal FASTag to facilitate easy travel. This piece emphasizes the need for regular FASTag balance checks and delves into the ways a FASTag scanner streamlines the same.
What is FASTag?
FASTag is an electronic toll collection system launched by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). It uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enable automatic payment of tolls directly from a savings or prepaid account linked to it. The FASTag is placed on the windscreen of the vehicle, enabling users to pass through toll plazas without halting for cash payment. The project aims at ensuring smooth traffic flow, less congestion, and easy management of tolls on national highways.
Importance of FASTag Balance Check
1. Avoid Unwanted Delays
One of the basic grounds for conducting a daily FASTag balance check is to avoid surprise delays at toll booths. A low balance will result in the system declining the payment of the toll, and the drivers will have to step out of the vehicle to pay the toll fee manually. This halts the free flow of travel and can prove extremely frustrating in instances of close timings or long-distance travel.
2. Facilitate a Seamless Journey
Having a sufficient balance in your FASTag account in advance enhances a serene and unobstructed road trip experience. Drivers who keep checking their FASTag balance can go through toll plazas effortlessly, saving their energy for the drive instead of worrying about financial transactions.
3. Avoid Penalties and Additional Charges
When your FASTag balance is low, you risk facing penalties or temporary suspension of your FASTag account. By regularly checking your balance and keeping it above the minimum, you avoid potential penalties and continue to enjoy the toll discounts provided by the system.
4. Budget Management
For those who travel often for business or recreation, a FASTag balance check can help in planning and projecting travelling cost better. By monitoring tolls expenses on a regular basis, travelers can plan their trip more effectively so that they do not encounter unexpected expenses that could put pressure on their travel budget.
5. Stay Updated with Promotions and Cashback Offers
Occasionally, banks and connected vendors provide promotional discounts or cashbacks on the recharging of FASTag. Periodic checking of the FASTag balance keeps users aware of such offers and enables them to reap maximum savings, thus minimizing overall travel expenses.
Tools for Conducting a FASTag Balance Check
While the necessity of maintaining a steady check on FASTag balances cannot be ignored, the correct utilization of appropriate tools can facilitate the process further.
- FASTag Scanner
Use of a FASTag scanner enormously eases checking the balance. Being part of the RFID suite of technologies, a scanner is used to scan the tag details and inform users of their prevailing balance, impending deductions, as well as foreseen toll expenditure for a contemplated route in a few instances. Although most of the toll gates are fitted with scanners, maintaining a personal scanner guarantees individual and immediate access to FASTag information.
- Mobile Applications
Banks and FASTag service providers typically provide custom mobile applications. The apps provide an exhaustive dashboard wherein users have access to tracking their account status, viewing recent transactions, and checking FASTag balance on their own devices. Users can be notified when the balance is running low or in case of any special offers being available.
- SMS Alerts and Online Portals
Subscription to SMS reminders is another surefire method for monitoring FASTag balances. SMS reminders give instantaneous updates after each toll payment transaction. Users also have the ability to log on to their online portal of FASTag provider to view their complete usage history in detail and run a FASTag balance check.
Conclusion
Finally, the importance of having adequate FASTag balance and checking FASTag balance regularly cannot be emphasized enough, particularly for frequent road travelers. A seemingly innocuous exercise guarantees that the very spirit of road trips the enjoyment and discovery is not diluted by logistics and money troubles.
With the adoption of contemporary tools like a FASTag scanner, Bajaj Finserv APP, and special mobile apps, this experience is further improved, allowing travelers to enjoy the freedom of indulging in the journey. Finally, careful planning combined with technology can turn every road trip into not only a journey, but also a stress-free and memorable experience.
By a proactive balance management approach, road travelers can indeed live the essence of Drive and Discover traversing the diverse geography India has in store without undue stops and fiscal interruptions. As a casual weekend traveler or an avid road user, a convenient toll experience with FASTag is your key to endless road tales and memories that last a lifetime.
