The transport ministry said Thursday it received applications from 22,000 car owners and 2,800 commercial vehicle owners for its electric toll collection monitoring program on the first day of a related promotional campaign.
The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry is seeking purchase applications from the owners of 100,000 cars and 350,000 trucks and other commercial vehicles for onboard ETC-system units, which are being offered at 5,000 yen cheaper than their retail price.
The campaign, launched Wednesday, is being conducted on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be closed when the targets are met.
The ETC system allows nonstop payments at tollgates through the use of radio communication between equipment on roadsides and in cars.
Vehicle owners who wish to apply for the monitoring program can do so at some 16,000 outlets tied with the Organization for Road System Enhancement, a foundation set up by the automotive, electronics and communication sectors to promote the ETC system.
Prices of onboard ETC units range from 30,000 yen to 100,000 yen, depending on their functions.