FASTag annual pass: How to obtain it in your existing FASTag account

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The FASTag annual pass is a convenient option for regular travelers on specific Indian highways or expressways. Intended to offer unlimited travel on specified toll roads, it charges once for the entire year to eliminate the need for per-trip charges. With FASTag becoming the unavoidable norm at most toll plazas throughout the country, the annual pass provides greater convenience and economical benefits to high-frequency users.

What is the annual pass of FASTag?

The annual pass is an optional service offered to FASTag subscribers, which enables users to pay in advance for toll charges for a certain duration—usually 12 months—on specific corridors. Frequent commuters or transport operators, who travel the same route repeatedly, find it most suitable. It saves them the trouble of tracking daily deductions and ensures seamless travel at the toll plaza.

For example, an individual who commutes daily from Gurgaon to Delhi or operates a school bus between stops can opt for this pass and avoid the daily hassle of daily deductions. The pass will be provided only at the selected toll plaza(s) and may be availed of with the enrolled vehicle.

How to activate the annual pass in your FASTag account

Activating the one-year pass is simple if you already possess a FASTag issued through a bank or a digital wallet like Paytm, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, or Airtel Payments Bank. To start with, log on to your account on the FASTag mobile app or website of your issuer. Once you reach your account dashboard, go to the page which contains toll plans or offers. In case there is an annual pass available for your regular route or toll plaza, it will be stated there.

You are required to verify details like the name of the toll plaza, your vehicle class, and the cost of the pass before you can continue. After paying through your linked wallet or account, the pass is usually activated within 24 hours. It is worth noting that this facility might not work in every toll plaza, so it would be wise to look for it in advance for your preferred route.

What do the cost and validity of FASTag annual pass amount to?

The annual pass fee varies with various toll booths and types of vehicles. For individual vehicles, it is generally between Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000. For commercial vehicles such as buses or trucks, the fees are much higher as they are large and consume more road space.

After activation, the pass remains valid for a period of 12 months and can be utilized only at the selected toll point or group of plazas. It cannot be transferred from one car or another or retraced along another route and does not automatically renew after the lapse of the term.

What happens after activation?

Once the annual pass is activated, toll charges at the selected plaza no longer get deducted every time you go through. Your FASTag wallet, however, must have a minimum balance to remain active, especially if you use other toll plazas that are not covered under the annual scheme.

The pass is automatically renewable, so you will have to renew or purchase a new one manually after one year. Furthermore, if your travel patterns change, you will have to assess whether the same pass still makes sense.

Who would the yearly pass be appropriate for?

The annual pass is appropriate for frequent travel from the same two destinations on national highways. It is appropriate for fleet operators, logistics firms, school buses, staff transport shuttle services, and private car owners who frequently traverse specific toll plazas.

However, for infrequent users of highways, the annual pass may not be economical and the conventional pay-per-use FASTag model may be optimal.

What to remember

FASTag annual pass can be utilized for set routes, so it will not be accepted at every toll point of India. This facility is not accessible on certain state highways and municipal tolls. Further, in case you receive frequent notifications from your bank or digital wallet about new route-specific toll offers, beware—the offers could include new annual pass schemes or discounts.

Overall, the FASTag annual pass can help a lot in making toll payment easy for daily commuters by not subjecting them to repeated deduction and keeping fixed expenses. It can be a cost- and time-effective way for people who travel frequently on the highways with proper preparation and regular account monitoring.