The Dartford Crossing will witness changes in its payment system for journeys beginning on Friday, as a new service provider, Conduent, takes over vehicle identification, payment processing, and account management responsibilities. As part of this transition, Dart Charge account holders, including Pay as You Go customers, are required to re-validate their payment cards by July 28, 2023, to avoid potential Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
Affected customers have already been informed by National Highways, and upon logging into their accounts, they will receive clear instructions on how to re-validate their payment cards. Failure to do so may result in crossings not being automatically paid, leading to the issuance of PCNs.
National Highways acknowledged that this change may be an inconvenience to existing customers. However, they have undertaken customer research to ensure that the new design incorporates customer needs, making the payment system more accessible and user-friendly.
Emovis will continue to handle inquiries and issue Penalty Charge Notices during this transition period.
Helen Watkinson, Head of Road User Charging, Dart Charge, expressed excitement about the changes, stating that the new service was designed with a customer-centric approach in mind. Further improvements to the service are also in the pipeline, with the aim of providing customers with greater flexibility and convenience.
National Highways urged customers to leave feedback and comments on their website to ensure continuous improvement and a strong customer relationship.
The Dartford Crossing, an iconic bridge inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in October 1991, plays a vital role in the national road network, linking Kent and Essex County Councils. The recent changes to the payment system aim to streamline the payment process and enhance the overall user experience.
With these changes, drivers using the Dartford Crossing are encouraged to stay informed and promptly re-validate their payment cards to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey across the iconic bridge.
