Severn River Crossing Plc Definitions and abbreviations BACS Blacklist Direct Debit DSRC EETS EETS Provider EETS User OBU RPI Season TAG SRC Tag TAG UK Bank Account to Bank Account transfer scheme List of non-authorised Tags Direct charge to the user s bank account originated by SRC Dedicated Short Range Communications European Electronic Toll Services Provider of EETS User of EETS On Board Unit / DSRC Tag UK all items Retail Prices Index RP02 SRC s brand name for a monthly unlimited use Tag Severn River Crossing Plc An On Board Unit / DSRC Tag Severn River Crossing Plc s brand name for our OBUs This document is intended solely for EETS Providers in the context of the EETS decision of the European Commission 2009/750/EC. Fulfilment of the requirements listed below forms the basis for concluding a contract as an EETS Provider in the EETS domain of SRC. SRC reserves the right to make changes to the requirements listed below at any time. In the event of amendments to the statutory framework conditions for the toll or the rendering of the EETS, which underlie these provisions for the EETs domain, these provisions shall be adapted for the EETS domain accordingly. Page 1 of 12
Toll Charger name Severn River Crossing Plc Article 19, para 1(a) the corresponding Toll Charger Toll Charger contact for general information Contact for queries about this document Technology options www.severnbridge.co.uk customer.service@severnbridge.co.uk Severn River Crossing Plc Toll Administration Building Bridge Access Road Aust South Gloucestershire BS35 4BE Mr Michael Gudgeon Commercial Manager Severn River Crossing Plc Bridge Access Road Aust South Gloucestershire BS35 4BD 01454 635000 Mike.gudgeon@severnbridge.co.uk Cash and Credit / Debit Card at Tollbooth. Severn TAG account. ( scheme specific DSRC Tag ) Article 19, para 1(a) the corresponding Toll Charger Article 19, para 1(a) tolling technologies employed Scheme dates existing. Article 19, para 1(a) Toll Context Data www.severnbridge.co.uk Article 19, para 1(a) Toll Context Data EETS domain statement www.severnbridge.co.uk Article 19, para 1(a) EETS domain statement EETS Providers None Article 19, para 1(a) the EETS Providers having EETS contracts Administrative dates First Published 2010, This version September 2015. Due for review 2016. Article 19, para 1(a) Page 2 of 12
1.1 General information 1.1.1 Geography subject to the toll or charge The legal basis by which a toll/charge can be levied in the Toll Domain The overall area to which the Scheme applies (i.e. the Toll Domain) Charged roads/ infrastructure 1.1.2 Nature of toll or charge Severn Bridges Act 1992 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1992/ukpga_1992003_en_1 The Toll is levied Westbound on the two Estuarial Crossings carrying the M4 and M48 Motorways between England and Wales as specified in the above Act. M4 Second Severn Crossing Rogiet Toll Plaza M48 Severn Bridge Aust Toll Plaza Article 6, sub-para (a) Annex I, para 2(a) Charging days All Article 6, subpara Charging hours All (b) 2(a) Summary of how the charge is calculated Circumstances for changing the charging Scheme A point charge for driving through a toll plaza, Indefinite Toll charges are reviewed annually on 1 st January and set by the formula set out in the Severn Bridges Act. ( Tolls are based on the previous September s RPI ) The Severn Bridges Act regulates SRC s Concession with the UK Government and accordingly SRC s right to Toll is due to cease in early 2018. The UK Government is currently considering charging arrangements beyond this date. Article 6, subpara (b) 2(a) Page 3 of 12
1.1.3 Eligibility and exemptions Eligible vehicles to which the charge applies Exempt vehicles Exempt Users See section 8 of the Severn Bridges Act 1992. Motor Cars and Motor Caravans. ( Category 1 ) Small Goods Vehicles and Small Buses ( Category 2 ) ( Small Goods equals less than 3500kg GVW and Small Bus having between 9 and 17 seats including driver ) Other Goods Vehicles and Buses ( Category 3 ) The Toll Categories are not based on the size of the vehicle (other than the 3500kg limit) but rather the criteria set out in the Act. Classification is largely manual rather than Automatic Exemption is processed at a Manned Toll Booth by the Attendant. Exempt vehicles ; Emergency Vehicles, Vehicles exempt from duty under the Vehicles Excise Act 1971 Civil defence, other vehicles used for the carriage of disabled persons by recognised bodies and vehicles of certain persons in receipt of disabled living allowance. Vehicles used in connection with the Tolls or maintenance of the crossings and vehicles driven by Staff of the Scheme Operator. Military Vehicles under the Army Act 2007. Crown vehicles. Disabled Persons presenting a valid Disabled Person s Badge to the Attendant at a Manned Tollbooth. Emergency service personnel on duty. Military on duty, Staff of the Operator and their Contractors. Article 6, subpara (c) 2(a) 1.1.4 Payment methods available Description of Payment Method A1, directly with Scheme Cash, credit or debit card at Tollbooth. Severn TAG account. ( scheme specific DSRC Tag ) All Severn TAG accounts are pre-paid. Season ( monthly unlimited crossings ) TAG accounts must be paid in advance by Direct Debit. Trip ( pre-paid no discount ) accounts can be paid in advance by Direct Debit, cheque or BACS transfer. Recitals 5, 7, 10, 11 Page 4 of 12
1.1.5 Procedure where payment is not made Time limit for compliance Penalty charge or fine levels Penalty charge or fine processes Channels and payment means for penalty charges or fines Tolls must be paid at the time of crossing at the Toll Plaza or by pre-payment to a Severn TAG Account In exceptional circumstances and entirely at the discretion of the Scheme Operator a Toll maybe paid within 14 days for a penalty charge of the Toll charge plus 85. Should the Toll remain unpaid after 30 days further charges can be imposed. Failure to pay the Toll at the time of Crossing is a Criminal offence under the Severn Bridges Act 1992. Where a Toll is not paid at the Toll plaza when due but is subsequently paid within 7 days a discount of 80 applies. Therefore the user pays the relevant Toll fare plus 5 provided they pay in full within 7 days of crossing. Non-payers are pursued by Commercial and if necessary Legal means. By credit or debit card, cash, cheque or BACS transfer. 1.1.6 General definition of the EETS payment method Section Sub-section Notes Ref to EETS Description of payment method Tolls are payable at the Aust and Rogiet Toll Plazas in accordance with the Severn Bridges Act 1992. The Tolls are a barriered scheme utilising both Attended and unattended lanes. Most lanes are equipped with DSRC beacons. The charge process is initiated by Severn River Crossing Plc following a successful read of an EETS OBU.A cash Toll is payable in the event of a read failure. Standard road User charges payable For vehicle categories Category 1 Vehicles 6.50 ( for 2015 ) Category 2 Vehicles 13.10 ( for 2015 ) Category 3 Vehicles 19.60 ( for 2015 ) Article 6, subpara (d) 2(a) As defined in the Severn Bridges Act 1992, as amended by the Severn Bridges Regulations 1996 Page 5 of 12
Discounted charges (if any) Description of eligibility for discount (a) Charges payable under discount (a) Registration requirements for discount (a) Users of a compatible Tag who anticipate using the Severn Crossings regularly in any calendar month may elect, in advance, to pay a fixed monthly charge. A fixed calendar monthly charge in respect of each Tag: Category 1 Vehicles 114.40 ( for 2015 ) Category 2 Vehicles 230.56 ( for 2015 ) Category 3 Vehicles 388.08 ( for 2015 ) As defined in the Severn Bridges Act 1992, as amended by the Severn Bridges Regulations 1996 Each TAG must be vehicle specific and run for a calendar month. The TAG must be registered with the Operator in advance and full details of the vehicle provided. Payment must be in advance and no refunds are issued 1.1.7 Requirements to be met by the Toll Charger Signs and signals Additional information Most Lanes are available to recognised EETS users. They are denoted by a TAG image on the Variable Message Signs above the relevant lanes. www.severnbridge.co.uk customer.service@severnbridge.co.uk Severn River Crossing Plc Toll Administration Building Bridge Access Road Aust South Gloucestershire BS35 4BE Charge collection fee offered by Toll Charger to EETS Provider none Page 6 of 12
1.1.8 Requirements to be met by EETS Providers Access fee levied by Toll Charger on EETS Provider By agreement, to cover capital costs and running costs of EETS implementation. Fee per transaction. Payable in Sterling, invoiced monthly. 1 Bank Guarantees or equivalents Information on a particular User Authorisation parameters Charging obligations Permanent changes in In accordance with the Severn Bridges Act 1992 all tolls are either paid at the time of the crossing or pre-paid in advance. Therefore an EETS Provider will have to pre-pay the Tolls. We envisage that the EETs Provider would have an account with us and maintain a credit balance sufficient for 1 month s anticipated usage, as set out in paragraph 1 of Annex 1 of Commission 2009/750/EC. It would the EETS Provider s responsibility to maintain a credit balance. In the event of the EETS Provider s account becoming exhausted all TAGs / OBUs associated with it would be refused passage and a cash Toll be levied. In accordance with the Severn Bridges Act 1992 SRC does not, and cannot, offer credit facilities for Tolls. As a minimum we will require the make, model, colour and VRN(s) associated with each monthly Season Tag. This Tag may not be used on any other vehicle without the prior consent of SRC. For prepaid Trip tags we require the expected class under the Severn Bridges Act. This TAG must not be used on any vehicle belonging to another vehicle class. The EETS Provider must elect before use whether they wish a Tag to operate as a monthly one or a simple prepaid one. Once this decision has been notified to SRC it is binding for a calendar month and cannot be changed. No refunds are payable. In the event that no such election is made then the default will be a simple prepaid Tag with no eligibility for a potential discount. The EETS provider must register each OBU with SRC along with the required vehicle information. The mechanism for doing so will be agreed between SRC and the EETS provider. In the event that no mechanism is agreed the EETS Provider will be expected to use SRC s website to administer their account. Users must comply with the requirements of the Severn Bridges Act 1992 and the rules and signs on the plazas. OBUs must be mounted correctly and fixed to the vehicle so as to be read correctly by a beacon mounted to the right hand side of the Toll lane c 5m above ground. Notification must be made in advance by any permitted means. Charges may apply if more than one change of vehicle per Tag 1 2(a) Article 6, subpara (e) Page 7 of 12
classification of User s Vehicle Temporary changes in classification of User s Vehicle EETS Provider Application Procedure per month. Notification must be made in advance by any permitted means. Only permitted at SRC s discretion for genuine temporary periods of unavailability. ( eg repairs and maintenance ) An EETS Provider who wishes to deliver an EET Service must send an official application to SRC. The application must, as a minimum, include the following information; (i) the identity and contact information of the EETs provider. (ii) the financial status of the EETS Provider (iii) the service the EETS provider intends to offer (iv) EETS Registration status (v) details of the OBU which will be offered The EETS Provider must comply with the requirements of EETS Providers set out in the EFC Directive 2004/52/EC and Commission 2009/750/EC. SRC will process the application and provided it meets the required standards will contact the EETS provider in order to discuss the technical requirements and commercial terms of a potential agreement. Article 6, subpara (e) 1.1.9 Operation when there are problems with Users or data Black list(s) Charge Exceptions SRC does not operate a black list. Tags must be registered with SRC prior to use. Unregistered Tags are not recognised at the Toll Plazas The EETS Provider will be responsible for maintaining the list of valid Tags associated with their account. As long as the EETS providers account is in credit any Tag on that list will be valid at the Tolls and charged accordingly. In the event that a Tag is not on the list or fails to read then the User must pay the Toll at the time of crossing by an alternative payment means. The EETS Provider will be liable for the Toll as certified by SRC. The vehicle information / data supplied by the EETS Provider is only indicative of the vehicle class and does not dictate the actual Toll payable which will be determined in all instances by SRC. In the event of the Toll Category advised by the EETS Provider not being in accordance SRC will adjust the balance 2(a) Page 8 of 12
on the EETS Provider s account accordingly and notify the Provider. There is no time limit for making adjustments and administration and penalty fees may also be levied. SRC reserves the right to levy a standard charge of 25+VAT for any and all instances of Tag misuse. SRC reserves the right to refuse to accept any Tag or to refuse to open, or to close, an account operated by an EETS Provider in the event, or suspected event of misuse. 1.1.10 Procedures and service levels (see Annex 1, para 2(b) of the ) Standards and specifications Frequency of updates Accuracy Operational availability performance Other KPIs Service level penalties Dispute procedure The EETS Provider will have access to their account online via SRC s website. TAG and vehicle data can be administered via this method. In the event that the EETS Provider wishes to operate their account by another method, ie bulk upload, data transfer etc then the EETS Provider would be able to propose a method. Any method would have to be acceptable to SRC and agreed by us. Any costs for modifying SRC s system to accept such a method would be chargeable to the EETS Provider. Website is hourly, other methods by agreement but at least daily. The EETS Provider is responsible for maintaining the Tag and vehicle information associated with their account. This includes the class of vehicle as defined in the Severn Bridges Act 1992. In the event of errors being detected by SRC the EETS Provider will be notified and their account adjusted accordingly for the error in the Toll paid and any further charges levied by SRC. The EETS Provider is responsible for the accuracy of the data on their account. If the EETS Provider and SRC have agreed that the account will be operated other than online then the EETS Provider is responsible for maintaining the interface. None, other than by Commercial Agreement SRC will debit the EETS Providers account in accordance with the legislation and any contractual agreements. None, other than by agreement 2(b) Page 9 of 12
1.1.11 Invoicing and payment Toll Charger invoicing EETS Provider EETS Provider paying Toll Charger EETS Provider invoicing Toll Charger Toll Charger paying EETS Provider Tolls must be prepaid by the EETS Provider by any acceptable means. Administration and penalty charge invoices will be charged to this account in the first instance Invoices for other goods and services will be sent as and when required and on SRC s standard terms. Invoices are payable within 14 days. Cash, debit or credit card, BACS transfer. The Invoice or Account number must be quoted. Not envisaged Not envisaged 2(c) 2(d) 2(c) 2(d) Page 10 of 12
1.1.12 Procedure for agreeing a contract Initiating the contract process In the first instance please contact: Mr Michael Gudgeon Commercial Manager Severn River Crossing Plc Bridge Access Road Aust South Gloucestershire BS35 4BD +44 (0)1454 635000 Mike.gudgeon@severnbridge.co.uk If an EETS Provider proposes an automated or nonstandard data exchange method with SRC s system then SRC s decision is final on whether to accept the proposal or not. SRC must be satisfied that the proposal will not compromise the integrity, reliability or data security of its systems. Any costs incurred by SRC will be borne by the EETs Provider. Page 11 of 12
1.2 Users who pay the Scheme directly Section Sub-section Notes Ref to EETS Description of payment method Cash at Tollbooth. Severn TAG account. ( scheme specific DSRC Tag ) All Tags are pre-paid. Definition, paras 5, 7, 10, 11 Standard road user charges payable For vehicle categories Category 1 Vehicles 6.50 ( for 2015 ) Category 2 Vehicles 13.10 ( for 2015 ) Category 3 Vehicles 19.60 ( for 2015 ) Discounted charges (if any) Description of eligibility for discount (a) Charges payable under discount (a) Registration requirements for discount (a) Registration fee applicable for discount (a) Users of a compatible Tag who anticipate using the Severn Crossings more than 18 times in a calendar month may elect, in advance, to pay a fixed monthly charge. A fixed calendar monthly charge in respect of each Tag Category 1 Vehicles 114.40 ( for 2015 ) Category 2 Vehicles 230.56 ( for 2015 ) Category 3 Vehicles 388.08 ( for 2015 ). The user must contact the Scheme Operator in advance and specify the Tag to be used and the vehicle to which it relates. These fixed rates are only available to one specific vehicle and with a dedicated Tag. The charge must be paid in advance. none User obligations Channels and payment means available for road user charge payments Tag must be correct fitted to the vehicle and used on the correct vehicle and or category. Vehicle details must be registered in advance. Cash / cheque Or Credit / Debit card at Toll Booth Pre paid Tag accounts by cash, cheque direct debit or BACS transfer. Page 12 of 12