Hi,
I am new to VIC (Melbourne); and planning to buy a car. I will be using it not very regularly (I guess) - may be one/two evenings and in weekends.
I wish to know how things work here - in terms of paying the tolls. Do I need an e-tag ? I was reading that there are two players in etag-business : CityLink or EastLink ! If so, which one is economic and works on all roads ?
Also, when traveling interstate, any advantage in one that the other doesn't offer !
Many thanks.
Thanks. Also, when travelling interstate, is there any advantage in one that the other doesn't offer ? Are you aware of any such things ?
As far as I am aware, there's no difference.
Thank you.
I'm an ex Victorian who hasn't looked since Eastlink tags became available.
Generally using a tag interstate costs you the fee plus an administration charge (~20%ish IIRC)
Back in the day CityLink used to charge account keeping fees and for infrequent access a NSW RTA eToll account was sometimes cheaper as they don't charge account keeping fees. I assume that things are more competitive with another tag provider these days, but might be worth looking at the NSW/QLD options too.
Thanks - much appreciated.
Citylink is worth travelling on, especially if you travel from East to West or vice versa on a regular basis. I would say that Eastlink is borderline pointless.
You can take Springvale Road or Stud Road for not that much extra time and especially after the removal of the crossings at Nunawading and Springvale, Springvale Road congestion has eased markedly. I've used Eastlink a few times to see what it was like. Not many people really use it - I think that shows how wasteful of a project it was, would have been better making improvements to existing roads such as Springvale and Stud Roads, e.g. the removal of the railway crossings have had much greater effects.
Thanks, good info for a newcomer. It seems Citylink strangely charges if a person does not use the tag for sometime !
Slightly off topic but I noticed here in Qld (just visiting here a few months) they use via go or go via. I saw some ad about it that you can use it Australia wide. Thought that was interesting. Don't know which other states use via go/ go via.
I have it as I am in Qld, works fine around NSW Sydney. Never tried in other states.
Thanks.
Thank you all - much appreciated for your comments !
Get a Go Via account as per adamren. That is what I have and there are no account keeping fees and no extra charges for using it on toll roads Australia wide.
They will mail it to your Victoria address :)
Great ! I must look at their website.
Just curious - how are you finding their rates - compared to the two Victorian biggies: CityLink and EastLink ?
You get charged the same tolls as everyone else. The advantage of using them is that even though it is an interstate device there are no surcharges and they have no monthly account management fees.
@iampoor: That one can travel within VIC and interstate without paying extra and without any account management fees - sounds really good. Thanks for sharing the info !
I know this is late but I thought I would chuck it up for future references. Don't bother opening an account with citylink. They charge account keeping fees, you are allowed a max of 4 vehicles, they have no customer service centre for you to visit, you can no longer pay bills at the post office and their call centre ( I believe) is located overseas.
Thanks. Appreciated.
Both work on all toll roads. Neither is a better deal than the other, toll prices are identical. The Breeze tag from Eastlink used to be smaller, but not sure whether that's still the case.