Toll gate tap-enabled functions leave TikTok user confused
"SANRAL, please explain to me why my smart device worked but not my cards?"
Last month, an essential update for those travelling during the December break was announced. The notice shared that road users would no longer be able to use the swipe function at the toll plazas on several routes around South Africa.
"The phasing out of magstripe card payments will be implemented across toll gates from Solomon Mahlangu off-ramp in Tshwane, Gauteng, to the Port of Maputo in Mozambique."
This update is of great value to those travelling through different provinces this festive period, as many people rely on their swipe function.
According to an earlier post on our website, these are the alternatives to using your magstripe swipe function when paying at the toll plazas.
- Contactless-enabled debit/credit cards (EMV) – EMV stands for Europay, Visa, and Mastercard, which are the companies that led the development and adoption of this chip technology. In lay terms, ‘tap and pay’.
- Smart devices (smartphones, smartwatches) that are linked to contactless payment apps (e.g., Apple Pay, Samsung Pay).
- TRAC tags for fast, convenient toll access.
- Cash.
READ MORE: WATCH: Traffic chaos on N3 Van Reenen Pass
The change in payment methods is a result of safety and convenience. It is more aimed at convenience than anything, as the tolls are known to get pretty backed up with traffic during the peak season.
The update only reached some, as one TikTok user, Brenden Roberts, shared that he was shunned when using his tap-enabled cards. He attributed this to the need for more communication and training with SANRAL staff at the toll plazas.
He said that his tap-enabled cards did not work, so he had to turn onto the off-ramp and go get cash from an ATM at the petrol stop. It was a total inconvenience for him, but he was even more confused when he found out from other social media users that he could use his debit and credit card tap-enabled cards.
Watch him speak about his experience below - courtesy of TikTok.
@brendenr22 These toll gates are playing games with us🤣🇿🇦 #southafrica #southafricatiktok #tiktoksouthafrica #tollgate #dezemba ♬ original sound - Brenden Roberts🇿🇦
After discovering that he could use his cards and a smart device to tap and go, he tried it out at the following toll plaza, and it worked. However, he was still mystified about why his tap-enabled cards failed to work.
Watch his follow-up video below, which is courtesy of TikTok.
@brendenr22 #stitch with @Brenden Roberts🇿🇦 SANRAL please make it make sense😅🤣 #southafrica #southafricatiktok #tiktoksouthafrica #tollgate #dezemba ♬ original sound - Brenden Roberts🇿🇦
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