The Dart Charge payment extension, introduced due to service delays, ends today, despite ongoing issues faced by customers. The extended payment period was provided to allow drivers to pay for crossings made over the past month and avoid fines.
For individuals without a Dart Charge account, the extended payment period for crossings made between July 27 and August 14 concludes at the end of August 15. Account holders, however, have until August 31 to ensure their card details are validated for automatic payments.
National Highways has issued a warning that failure to pay on time or to revalidate cards could lead to fines.
The temporary extension of the payment deadline was necessitated by service disruptions caused by the Dart Charge website being down. From July 28 to July 30, customers faced difficulties accessing the website, and even after its restoration, issues persisted due to high traffic.
Long queues, both online and via phone, were reported, resulting in further delays in toll payments.
Even after the maintenance period, customers continue to report various account-related problems on social media. Some struggled with revalidating cards, others found their account balances wiped, journeys not recorded, and local resident permits removed.
Despite the challenges, National Highways assured customers that crossings made from 6 am on July 26, 2023, would be allocated to their respective accounts. However, these crossings might not be visible until after the payment deadline of August 15.
Acknowledging the inconvenience faced by users in the past days, a National Highways spokesperson expressed gratitude for the understanding of road users during the maintenance period. They assured customers that service improvements have been made and that the average online wait time is now less than 5 minutes.
National Highways extended their apologies for the disruptions caused by essential system updates. They reiterated their commitment to providing a seamless experience for users of the Dart Charge system and highlighted the ongoing transfer of responsibilities to a new service provider, Conduent. The authorities expressed hope that these improvements would lead to an enhanced Dart Charge system overall.
Despite these challenges, the authorities remain dedicated to ensuring a smooth and efficient payment process for all users of the Dartford Crossing.
