M6toll announces price freezes to encourage more local journeys
The M6toll is to freeze prices on various products as part of its aim to help alleviate congestion on local routes by encouraging more drivers to use the toll road for short journeys.
The price hold comes in the midst of a post-pandemic bounce back in traffic volumes across the UK.
Recent data from the M6toll shows a 19.7% increase in vans and HGVs using the road from August to October compared to the same period in 2019 prior to the pandemic, a significant indicator of the economic recovery in the region.
It says the price hold on M6toll Saver products gives motorists the opportunity to avoid congestion.
Products eligible for the price hold include FlexiPass, a discounted ticket for short, local journeys. Launched in January 2021, FlexiPass offers ten pre-paid journeys for £2.90 each.
Trips are linked to a pre-paid online account via ANPR in-lane technology, removing the need to stop at the plaza to pay by card.
The price hold also applies to Hopper, Shuttle and FlexiVan products, all designed for local car and van drivers regularly using T-junctions 4, 5 or 6.
The Hopper is also currently available for £19.50, as part of a half price trial promotion on this product. Additionally, for trips outside of the relevant Savers junctions customers also receive a 5% discount.
As part of the new pricing structure, there will be a 10p rise for cars at mainline and local junction plazas, a 20p increase for vans and a 30p increase for HGVs using the road.
The price changes will come into effect from 16 February.
Julie Davies, commercial director at Midland Expressway, said: “The Saver products, such as FlexiPass and FlexiVan, are designed to encourage more car and van drivers to switch their local journeys onto the M6toll, so they can avoid local traffic hotspots and busy routes.
“With that in mind, we have made the decision to put a price hold on our popular Saver products to encourage more regular use of the M6toll for short, local journeys. As traffic volumes return to pre-pandemic levels, drivers using the M6toll can enjoy a seamless, hassle-free alternative to the build-up of traffic on local roads, further enhanced by the digital infrastructure we have in place for online accounts.”
