Photo/Illutration A toll collection station on an expressway in Nagoya was closed in February after a staff member became infected with the novel coronavirus. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Toll collections on the nation's expressways may soon become fully automated under plans envisaged by the transport ministry to reduce the risk of booth attendants catching the novel coronavirus through cash payments.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism wants to do away with cash lanes altogether. Only vehicles fitted with an electronic toll collection (ETC) system would be able to use expressways.

This would result in almost minimal contact between staff in toll booths and drivers, the ministry said.

Currently, the rate of utilization of the ETC system that automatically debits expressway tolls from a driver's cash or credit card is about 93 percent.

The ministry will discuss with experts and related organizations what to do about cars that are not equipped with an ETC device and whether the government should offer financial support to those who need to switch.

The ministry aims to draw up a draft plan and schedule by this fall.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on 173 toll collection staff by an expressway operator turned up nine positive COVID-19 readings.

Some toll stations were forced to close cash lanes temporarily, the ministry said.

Making expressways ETC-only had been discussed prior to the pandemic. Advocates say it will result in reduced tolls and a more flexible pricing system.

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