Dart Tag migration to Dart Charge

peachyprice

soolin wrote: »

Thank you for phoning them- I was horribly confused by it all.

It is about as clear as mud isn't it?

Isn't it just!

I remember at the beginning, they said that the tags wouldn't even work when the new system starts, now it seems they will and all that has changed is the way we pay and that the tag is linked to a car.

I wonder what would happen if you carried on using the tag without registering for the new system, it would probably still work!!!

It's been a shambles from start to finish really, they've left it to the last minute, put the prices up, not made it clear if we still get a discount and all designed to confuse us I suspect!

soolin

It's still a shambles. I went through yesterday and checked my account today, and neither journey shows nor has my account been debited. I have tried phoning them, but all you get is a recorded message telling you how busy they are and to use the website, I tried emailing them but the email system appears to be broken as well

jimjames

soolin wrote: »

It's still a shambles. I went through yesterday and checked my account today, and neither journey shows nor has my account been debited. I have tried phoning them, but all you get is a recorded message telling you how busy they are and to use the website, I tried emailing them but the email system appears to be broken as well

You have to wonder don't you.

Not that the number of vehicles using the crossing was a big secret or has gone up by 50% overnight.

It's no surprise the lines are busy when the basic info isn't even available correctly online.

peachyprice

soolin wrote: »

It's still a shambles. I went through yesterday and checked my account today, and neither journey shows nor has my account been debited. I have tried phoning them, but all you get is a recorded message telling you how busy they are and to use the website, I tried emailing them but the email system appears to be broken as well

Sounds like it didn't pick up your tag, only the ANPR, they told me that takes a few days to register on the account. So what's the point of the bloomin tags if it's not going to read them :mad:

It's the not knowing isn't it, none of us want to end up with a £70 fine because something isn't working properly and finding out too late.

I'm going through on Saturday, just praying it's going to work really.

Ectophile

I have now successfully opened my account with both cars on it.

So far, I haven't linked my one tag to either car. From reading their T&Cs https://www.dartford-crossing-charge.service.gov.uk/Content/PDF/Dart_Charge_Tems_and_Conditions.pdf, you do not need to have a tag on a car, but can if you want to. It sounds like the tag system is intended for regular users, as it's faster and more reliable than ANPR. I can imagine they have teams of people in an office somewhere manually reading any number plates that the system can't read by itself.

I remain to be convinced that their top-up system actually works. At the moment, it's telling me that my balance is £9.39, then immediately below that, it says "Your account will automatically top-up by £10.00 when your balance drops below £10.00." :huh:

soolin

peachyprice wrote: »

Sounds like it didn't pick up your tag, only the ANPR, they told me that takes a few days to register on the account. So what's the point of the bloomin tags if it's not going to read them :mad:

It's the not knowing isn't it, none of us want to end up with a £70 fine because something isn't working properly and finding out too late.

I'm going through on Saturday, just praying it's going to work really.

The odd thing was though that the tag gave a very loud bleep both ways- so I was reassured it had been read. Still nothing showing on my account though . I do wonder how many people will get erroneous fines because something is wrong with the system- I'm assuming I am OK and it is just a delay in updating, but if something has gone wrong then I only have until midnight tonight to pay to avoid a fine.

I assume though that I am completely covered against any errors on their part- I am registered, the car number plate is correctly recorded and I even still had my tag on the windscreen. If it does take 48 hours to show online then I think it is a pretty poor system

peachyprice

Update on my crossings.

I made two crossings yesterday, around 11.30 and 17.00, both were showing on my account this morning.

I made another two today but they're not showing yet.

I only used ANPR, not a tag.

Ectophile

If you go to their login page today, there's a notice:
"Some crossings may take up to 48 hours to appear on your account"

The system has finally spotted that my balance was under £10 and topped it up. I should now have enough credit to last the best part of a year now. I'll wait a bit before trying to phone and ask what to do with the old Dart Tag, as I'm not expecting to use the crossing again until January.

Nodding_Donkey

soolin wrote: »

The odd thing was though that the tag gave a very loud bleep both ways- so I was reassured it had been read. Still nothing showing on my account though . I do wonder how many people will get erroneous fines because something is wrong with the system- I'm assuming I am OK and it is just a delay in updating, but if something has gone wrong then I only have until midnight tonight to pay to avoid a fine.

I assume though that I am completely covered against any errors on their part- I am registered, the car number plate is correctly recorded and I even still had my tag on the windscreen. If it does take 48 hours to show online then I think it is a pretty poor system

Why would you keep the tags?

Better I would have thought to get the deposit back on them.

soolin

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

Why would you keep the tags?

Better I would have thought to get the deposit back on them.

There is no deposit element, the tags were free. The only money went on top ups and that transferred to the new scheme.