M6toll introduces new toll prices
M6toll introduces new toll prices, an additional off-peak rate and tailored pricing plans for frequent users
Midland Expressway Limited (MEL), operator of the M6toll, has today (Wednesday 12th June) announced new toll prices including an additional off-peak rate, which will come into effect from 00:00hrs on Friday 12th July.
The new pricing structure follows a series of innovative product trials over the past 12 months to introduce a wider range of options for frequent users, which are now being launched to all eligible drivers.
The M6toll was built to move long-distance traffic off the heavily congested M6 through Birmingham and currently welcomes around 50,000 customers every day or 18.2million users a year. At peak times, up to 55% of trucks and 85% of cars making long-distance journeys through the M6 use the M6toll – traffic which would otherwise be using the M6 and local routes such as the A5, A38 and A446.
The new toll prices announced today include a new off-peak rate for drivers using the road on weekdays between 5am – 7am and 7pm – 11pm. They are designed to keep prices attractive for all road users and will enable on-going investment in the M6toll including further development of innovative products to suit the specific needs of drivers.
As part of its ongoing commitment to support the regional economy, ease local congestion and save travel time for its customers, MEL has encouraged and seen a strong boost in local use. Three new pricing options are being launched today for frequent users, following a successful trial over the past 12 months. Hopper, Shuttle and Return Pass offer attractive discounts to drivers who regularly use the road, with some customers saving over 35%.
Andy Cliffe, chief executive at MEL, said: “The M6toll has been alleviating huge volumes of traffic from the M6 and its surrounding roads for more than 15 years, providing a safer and more reliable route around the Midlands. The M6toll is significantly faster than alternative routes, making planning more accurate for businesses and individuals and boosting overall efficiency.
“We’re committed to making our route stress-free and reliable for all, that’s why we’ve put customer feedback at the heart of our new off-peak price bands and our recent product trials to cap prices and offer attractive savings to local and/or frequent users, ensuring we maximise the positive impact of the M6toll across the Midlands and beyond.
“Since 2014 we’ve seen a 14% increase in trucks using our road – a recent industry study* of HGVs shows that the M6toll is a safer road for travel than the M6 owing to a much lower accident rate, and with better fuel economy due to free-flowing traffic, HGV users also benefit from reduced fuel costs and emissions.
We remain committed to increasing the volume of HGV traffic using the M6toll in preference to the M6 or local roads, and ensure that our incentives for new HGV customers and pricing deals for commercial operators are innovative and attractive.”
New toll prices
From 00:00hrs on Friday 12th July, prices will rise between 10p and 30p for motorbikes and cars, between 10 and 50p for light goods vehicles and between 20p and 50p for heavy goods vehicles, depending on the time of travel.
Tiered pricing
Weekday pricing will change from the current day and night rates to include an additional off-peak discounted rate for drivers travelling on Monday to Friday between 5am – 7am and 7pm – 11pm.
Innovative products
Following a series of product trials over the past 12 months, MEL is launching three new pricing options (Hopper, Shuttle and ReturnPass) which offer some attractive savings to drivers who regularly use the road.
Hopper caps weekly travel to £35 a week based on 10 return trips, which could save drivers over 35% a month.
Shuttle allows commuters to benefit from unlimited local journeys for £20 a week, which would save the average driver over £100 a month based on a commuting week.
For those travelling longer distances, ReturnPass provides a 20% saving on every same-day return journey.
Check out another article on the Latest Changes to our Tolling System Here.
* Microlise Study: M6toll Analysis, May 2019
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