Oh no… our vehicle is outside the target range.
Working cars, working cars♪ as they say. I don’t use the Metropolitan Expressway much anyway
I don’t use the Metropolitan Expressway at all, so I haven’t really paid attention to it…
Even when going for vehicle inspection… isn’t there some serious traffic congestion?
Huh??? The outer loop of Route 7 like before COVID… the traffic volume seems to have increased abnormally.
This 1,000 yen surcharge measure this time gives me the impression that it’s saying don’t use the Metropolitan Expressway unless necessary. Let’s understand the period, scope, and eligible vehicles.
Target period Olympic Games July 19, 2021 – August 9
Paralympic Games August 24 of the same year – September 5
- For ETC vehicles, the reference time is when the first ETC antenna is passed on the Metropolitan Expressway; for cash vehicles, it’s when the first toll booth is passed on the Metropolitan Expressway.
- Discounts and surcharges applied to the toll are reflected in the ETC usage inquiry service and ETC usage history printer.
↑The period is crazy… even with a gap in the middle, it’s long, way too long, isn’t it?
Night-time discount during Tokyo 2020 Games period
During the Games, vehicles using the Metropolitan Expressway at night (midnight to 4 a.m.) receive a 50% discount on the base toll. Application time Midnight to 4 a.m.
- The reference time is when you start using the Metropolitan Expressway (the time you pass the first ETC antenna).
Example: For Route 4 Shinjuku Line, if you pass the ETC antenna at the Chuo Expressway connection at midnight, you receive the 50% discount rate.
Eligible vehicle types All vehicle types equipped with ETC ※Cash vehicles are not eligible. Night-time discount target area All Metropolitan Expressway lines
↑Only 4 hours at night? Happy time is in session. I wonder if the Wangan Midnight folks are also holding an unofficial Olympics…
Toll surcharge during Tokyo 2020 Games period
During the Games, a toll surcharge (1,000 yen) is applied to private vehicles and similar vehicles using the Tokyo metropolitan area section of the Metropolitan Expressway during daytime hours (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Application time
6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- The reference time is when you start using the Metropolitan Expressway (for ETC vehicles, the time you pass the first ETC antenna on the Metropolitan Expressway; for cash vehicles, the time you pass the first toll booth on the Metropolitan Expressway).
Example: For Route 4 Shinjuku Line, if an ETC vehicle passes the ETC antenna at the Chuo Expressway connection at 6 a.m., a 1,000 yen surcharge applies; if a cash vehicle passes Eifuku toll booth at 6 a.m., a 1,000 yen surcharge applies.
Eligible vehicle types ETC vehicles Kei and two-wheeled vehicles, and standard vehicles that are private passenger vehicles
Eligible license plate numbers
- Two-wheeled vehicles with white plates and green characters
- Kei vehicles with yellow plates and black characters and classification number “5**” or “7**”
- Standard vehicles with white plates and green characters and classification number “3**”, “5**”, or “7**”
- If you use a decorative license plate, etc., there are some exceptions to how we determine whether a vehicle is subject to the toll surcharge. If you have any questions, please check the Metropolitan Expressway Drivers Site “Vehicle Classification” or contact the Metropolitan Expressway Customer Center .
Cash vehicles All kei, two-wheeled, and standard vehicles
- Those receiving the “Disabled Person Toll Discount System” on toll roads are not eligible
People who don’t need to apply
Those currently receiving the “Disabled Person Toll Discount System” on toll roads are automatically exempt from the toll surcharge for both ETC and cash vehicles without needing to apply.
Additionally, the following vehicle types are also automatically exempt from the toll surcharge without needing to apply.
ETC vehicles that are private vehicles with white or yellow plates and classification number “4**”, “6**”, or “8**”
Commercial ETC vehicles with green plates and white characters or black plates and yellow characters
ETC and cash vehicles classified as “Medium vehicles”, “Large vehicles”, or “Extra-large vehicles” in the Metropolitan Expressway’s five-vehicle classification
ETC vehicle target area map
ETC vehicles are subject to the toll surcharge on the Metropolitan Expressway’s Tokyo metropolitan area section.
- At toll booths and similar entrances, the reference is when you pass the toll booth; at entrances without toll booths or on the main line, the reference is when you pass the ETC antenna for the toll surcharge.
Example: For Route 4 Shinjuku Line, if you pass the ETC antenna at the Chuo Expressway connection at 6 a.m., a 1,000 yen surcharge applies.
With ETC, the Kanagawa Line is exempt, which is a relief.
Cash vehicle target area map – almost all areas have surcharges.
Cash vehicles are subject to the toll surcharge on all Metropolitan Expressway lines (except some downbound sections).
- The reference time for the toll surcharge is when you pass the first toll booth on the Metropolitan Expressway.
Example: For Route 4 Shinjuku Line, if you pass Eifuku toll booth at 6 a.m., a 1,000 yen surcharge applies.
Just a thought… one last thing.
Is this surcharge measure recognized by license plate number or by ETC settings?
It’s probably not by ETC registration…
What happens to people using a four-wheeled ETC registered as a kei vehicle with a 4, 6, or 8 number plate?
I’d like someone to try it once… though I’m scared of getting a crazy bill later…
