The new updates will make it possible for e-toll registered road users to take advantage of cashless parking, manage their toll accounts and enjoy additional features.
The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited’s (SANRAL) mobile application has received a major design overhaul to improve the user experience and enhance its functionality.
The new updates will make it possible for e-toll registered road users to take advantage of cashless parking, conveniently manage their toll accounts and enjoy additional features such as viewing frequent user discounts and tracking monthly spend.
Coenie Vermaak, CEO of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC), the company responsible for managing the Gauteng e-tolling system on behalf of SANRAL, said: “The evolution of the SANRAL mobility app is a part of ETC’s and SANRAL’s continued strategy to deliver hassle-free road and travel services to registered road users across the country.
“While this app currently supports features mostly related to our e-toll system and conventional plaza accounts, the future vision is to develop this platform to deliver other convenient mobility services to enhance mobility across South Africa with road users opting into their desired service.”
Easy to use cashless parking
ETC has partnered with KaChing, a cashless and ticketless parking system providing road users with an easy-to-use parking service.
There are plans in the pipeline to partner with other parking providers to extend this service offering.
The new parking feature, which is an opt–in service on the app, enables users to park at 34 different KaChing–operated parking lots without the need for a paper ticket or cash.
Through license plate recognition technology, parking garage booms will automatically open for people using the SANRAL Mobility app, with payment being linked to the registered user’s account.
The cashless parking service is an opt-in service, accessible through the services tab on the app.
Touch of a button e-toll account management
Through the SANRAL Mobility app, registered users can view and settle their accounts easily and conveniently from the palm of their hands.
Users can view their account balances, top up their mobility account/s, view and download account statements and invoices, view their transaction details (which can also be downloaded and shared) and log an enquiry or contact SANRAL’s customer services department.
This new release also includes in-app notifications, driven by SANRAL’s efforts to enhance road safety.
“The e-toll features on this app not only save users time but will also give them sight of the frequent user discounts that have been earned and ultimately put extra cents in their pockets,” said Vermaak.
The app, developed by ETC, is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Biometrically enabled, the app enables users to log in quicker and more securely through fingerprint and facial recognition technology on supported devices.
Exciting future updates in pipeline
A future release will enable users to register a mobility account from the app, meaning users will be able to complete the full mobility registration process on the platform.
ETC is also working on several additional, exciting features including a route planner and i-Traffic integration, a real–time traffic information system run by SANRAL.
Later this year, users will be able to order e-tags through the app and have them couriered to either a home or work address, as well as add or remove vehicles from their account.
Gamification features, loyalty programmes and ride-sharing schemes are also planned.
“All future updates and additions to the SANRAL Mobility App will progress our vision to provide a smart transport solution that promotes seamless mobility for users,” concluded Vermaak.
The app can now be downloaded from either the Google Play store or from the Apple App store.