First National Bank (FNB) in partnership with Trans African Concessions (TRAC) has successfully completed the rollout of tap-and-go payment infrastructure across select toll gates along the N3 and N4 freeways, as well as along the popular Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town.
Over 88 lanes have been switched on along the N3 toll route between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal at De Hoek, Wilge, Tugela, and Mooi River plazas, both on the mainline as well as the on- and off ramps.
An additional 73 lanes along the N4 toll route between Pretoria and Mozambique also gained tap-and-go functionality, including the Diamond Hill, Middelburg, Machado, and Nkomazi plazas.
“This payments innovation – a first in Africa – will mean a more convenient, secure experience for South African motorists,” said Daniel Kaan, CEO of Core Banking and Merchant Services at FNB.
“The FNB solution offers enhanced security, reducing the possibility of fraud and allowing users to keep cards or payment devices in their possession during payment.”
The contactless payment solution comes after toll gates were flagged as one of the most prominent locations for card cloning in South Africa.
Out with the old, in with the new
The tap-and-go-enabled toll plazas allow several payment methods, including:
- Tap-enabled debit or credit cards (Europay, Mastercard, Visa)
- Payment apps like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay
- Wearables such as Garmin, Fitbit, Samsung, Apple, and others
- Other tap-enabled apps that allow the use of South African-issued bank cards
Foreign cards will now also be accepted at these toll gates, said Kaan, and if you do not have a contactless card or device, you can still pay with cash or e-tag.
However, magstripe cards, which require the card to be physically swiped, will no longer be accepted at these toll plazas from 01 December 2024.
“Contactless payments have proven to be popular amongst consumers as a quick, secure, and convenient way to pay. This is demonstrated in the growing popularity of contactless payments generally – more than 50% of card payments made by FNB customers are now contactless,” said Kaan.
“Feedback from the solution’s introduction has been highly positive. The solution has proven its benefits for not only toll concessionaires but issuers, acquirers, and cardholders.”
FNB plans to introduce the tap-and-go systems to additional toll road concessionaires in 2025 as the industry phases out ageing payment methods such as magstripe cards.
The majority of toll plazas in South Africa will continue accepting fleet and garage magstripe card payments until 31 May 2025, with support for these cards to cease across all plazas by 30 June 2026.
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