CityLink -- Weekend passes = DOUBLE CHARGES !

[IronMan8888]

Have now bought some Transurban shares!

[IronMan8888]

Did you know? When you buy a weekend pass in advance You must remove the etag, otherwise you will be charged for the the actual trips you do, plus the cost of the weekend pass.

Last year I discoverd this double charge when I was booking a weekend pass and the operator told me that I need to remove the etag. Hmmm...this was the first time that an operator had ever told me of this requirement.

I searched through my CityLink statements and found the double charges for every weekend pass I had since mid 2007. I discussed this with CityLink staff and was told that as they had been some time ago the charges would stand, and I should have removed the etag for these trips. I checked the book that came with the account and found no information on this requirement.

Again I spoke with CityLink and pointed out that this requirement was not in their book and after some threats of taking this issue to an ombudsman, I eventually received full credits for all the double trips (this took a few weeks and a few phone calls -- thanks CityLink.

Last week I ordered a weekend pass for 13-14 Feb but forgot to remove the etag (silly me). I talked to CityLink today and requested that I not be double charges for the weekend but was told as I have 'previous history of not compying', the charges would stand.

When you do not have an etag in the vehicle you can call CityLink (within 72 hours) after a trip or weekend multi trips, and pay the pass rate which is cheaper that regular useage. This is a great service if you don't have a CityLink account (assumed to be for low user) but this must cost CityLink (or perhaps the regular users) as they then need to match photo or other records of those trips, plus the additional operator time to process these transactions.

Why should regular customers be required to remove their etag when they pay in advance for a weekend or day pass? Surely technology can overcome this customer inconvienance!

Why are there no discounts for regular users?

I guess with any monopoly service provider such as CityLink, they have a CAPTIVE audience so they can slug the high useage customer.

I may consider commuting by motorbike then I will have no CityLink charges!