Motorists planning to hit the roads this December are advised that a major change is coming for the N4 highway.
Starting 1 December 2024, the N4’s various toll gates will no longer accept card swipe payments, according to the Trans African Concessions (Trac).
This means that road users will either need to resort to cash or another form of electronic payment in order to travel this holiday season.
Toll payment changes
The N4 is one of South Africa’s busiest routes, forming a corridor that runs from the border in Botswana all the way to Mozambique, passing through the provinces of North West, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga.
This road becomes even busier during the summer holiday season with many people using it to visit popular destinations like the Kruger National Park.
From the start of December, the N4’s toll booths will no longer support magstripe card payments, and motorists will be required to use an alternate form of payment.
Luckily, this includes a variety of contactless methods, such as newer credit or debit cards with EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa) chip technology, which enables a tap-to-pay function.
In addition, motorists with digital banking and payment apps such as Apple Pay or Samsung Pay can use either a smartphone or a smartwatch to conduct a wireless transaction at the toll plaza.
Anyone who has already fitted an e-tag to their vehicle will also be unaffected by the changes to the payment structure.
Individuals who prefer not to use a digital payment solution are still able to use cash for their toll fees, too.
This update enhances payment security and supports a smoother experience at tolls. Make sure you’re ready for the transition! 💳#TRACN4 #TollPayments #Contactless pic.twitter.com/aDClYxdSvp
— TRAC N4 Toll Route (@TRACN4route) November 7, 2024
Trac announced that the change is intended to modernize its payment system, ensuring a greater pass-through rate that will result in shorter queues at its plazas.
The decision to phase out magstripe card swipes also has to do with security concerns, as there have been multiple warnings issued regarding card cloning at toll sites.
Cloning is when a criminal copies a person’s card information, which can then be used to create a counterfeit card that can withdraw money from the account.
While there are a few methods that thieves can use to clone a card, the most common tactics typically involve a form of “skimmer” placed in a card machine or an ATM that can scan and copy payment details.
This type of crime is not unique to toll gates and has been reported at other locations such as petrol stations, supermarkets, and restaurants.
Citizens are therefore advised to use contactless payment methods wherever possible, as this minimizes the risk of someone stealing your card’s data.
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