THE operator of troubled EastLink last night admitted issuing more than 7000 incorrect bills to motorists, blaming more equipment failures.
ConnectEast said more than 1000 interstate motorists, including drivers who had never even used the problem-plagued motorway, were incorrectly billed due to faulty number plate recognition software.
The bungle comes after the Herald Sun revealed the full extent of EastLink speed camera breakdowns and faults this week.
Secret documents revealed EastLink speed cameras took images they weren't supposed to, contained corrupt data and had communication blackouts.
The latest glitch, which confused matching Victorian and interstate number plates, has left ConnectEast red-faced.
Freedom of Information documents revealed 7269 trips were disputed on the roadway over the past 12 months and more than 1000 motorists were incorrectly billed - many more than once.
The error occurred when Victorian vehicles travelled on EastLink without an e-tag and with a number plate not linked to either a ConnectEast or CityLink account.
The system then automatically cross-matched the number plate with interstate toll operators and charged the toll to an interstate account.
Sydney motorist Julie Thorp said she didn't know what EastLink was when she was billed for driving through the Mullum Mullum tunnel at Ringwood.
"I've never even driven in Melbourne," Ms Thorp said last night.
"The last time I was in Melbourne was about three years ago, but I've never even been on that road in someone else's car."
Ms Thorp said she had an account with Sydney toll road operator Roam, and was billed for using EastLink numerous times.
"We have an account and they automatically debit the money. While individual trips don't cost much, it all adds up and it's wrong," she said.
ConnectEast spokesman James Tonkin said the issue had been resolved after a $1 million software upgrade to toll camera software.
He said the new technology enabled number plates to be automatically identified and matched with a vehicle.
"Essentially the software upgrade means cameras now 'fingerprint' each plate," Mr Tonkin said.
"This eliminates trips being allocated to identical number plates on other vehicles interstate."
No comments:
Post a Comment