Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska to maintain the preferential toll rate for drivers using automatic toll payments on the A4 Katowice-Kraków motorway until mid-January 2024.

The purpose behind the promotion that has been running for the past four years was to raise the interest in automatic payment methods and, in consequence, improve the capacity of toll collection plazas on the A4 motorway section covered by the concession.

As a result of investments made by the concessionaire of the A4 Katowice-Kraków motorway based on the most advanced technologies available, starting from 2016 it became possible to introduce automatic payment methods reducing travel time through toll collection plazas, improving the comfort of travel on the motorway and - especially during the pandemic - improving the safety of drivers and toll collectors. Ever since the introduction of the A4Go system, the first of its kind in Poland, SAM SA has been systematically developing available solutions, the most popular of which among the drivers proved to be payments via mobile apps linked to the videotolling system, implemented in 2019.

Preferential toll rates for automatic payments, promoting the use of videotolling and A4Go electronic toll collection, were introduced by the A4 Katowice-Kraków motorway administrator in January 2020 and initially applied to all vehicle categories. Since October 2021, preferential toll rates applied only to the drivers of passenger cars who pay using the selected app partnered with the videotolling system (currently supported apps include Autopay, SkyCash, IKO, mPay; preferential toll rates can also apply, as an option, to ORLEN and SHELL card holders) or an A4Go or Telepass on-board unit.

Starting from 16 January 2024, a standardized rate of PLN 15 will apply to drivers who use automatic payments to pay toll for category 1 vehicles (excluding motorcycles).

The preferential toll rates for automatic payments that were in effect for four years and the noticeably shorter waiting time at toll gates have translated into higher interest in automatic payment methods. At present, videotolling and A4Go transactions account for nearly 50% of all transactions (approximately 45% on average, up to even 55% during rush hours). Payment using one of the automatic methods continues to save time and provide greater comfort of passage through toll gates. An important effect of paying A4 Katowice-Kraków motorway tolls in this way is the reduced carbon footprint, as these payment methods allow to reduce emissions that would have been made during the period of waiting to pay tollusing the traditional method.

Information on all automatic toll payment methods supported at the A4 Katowice-Kraków motorway can be found at www.a4-szybko.pl.