FAQ
WHAT IS 'FREE FLOW'?
The Free Flow payment system allows toll collection without stopping or slowing down at barriers, thanks to the identification and classification of the vehicles passing under the detection portals. The amount due will be calculated automatically on the basis of the motorway section travelled. Using the Free Flow system brings considerable advantages in terms of safety and sustainability: it eliminates queues and delays, which are risk factors and cause polluting emissions.
FROM WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE NEW FREE FLOW PAYMENT SYSTEM BE ACTIVE?
From 1 March, Free Flow portals will be activated on the Asti-Castagnito motorway section, and will be used for toll collection from 1 September. Until that date, nothing will change for users.
It should be noted that the changeover to the Free Flow system will only affect section II (from Marene on the A6 motorway to Rocca Schiavino on the SS231 state road). Section I (from Cuneo to Massimini on the A6 motorway) will not be affected by the changes, and will continue to be operated with the traditional collection methods. To view the map, the portals position, and their progressive activation, visit this page.
Toll-free number 800.033.021 is available for further information.
WHAT DOES A PAYMENT PORTAL LOOK LIKE? IS IT RECOGNISABLE?
Signs placed along the motorway section and near the portals will alert users to their presence. Each portal will be numbered and thus clearly identifiable. The physical structure of the portal does not interfere in any way with the motorway axis, which remains free and does not have any barriers or lane restrictions to channel traffic.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I PASS UNDER A PORTAL?
Passing under the portal does not imply any particular action by users, who can continue their trip without changing their transit speed. Vehicle recognition by the portal occurs automatically, regardless of the lane occupied by the vehicle, including the emergency lane; therefore, users do not need to position themselves on a specific lane.
HOW ARE TRANSITING VEHICLES IDENTIFIED?
The portal is equipped with technological systems that make it possible to recognise a passing vehicle by detecting and aggregating several types of information, such as volume and licence plate reading. The system operation is guaranteed in all weather and lighting conditions, and is therefore operational 24/7.
IS PASSING UNDER A PORTAL SIGNALLED IN ANY WAY?
If you have an electronic toll device (such as AS24, Axxés, DKV, Telepass, Toll Ticket, Unipol) in your vehicle, it may emit an audible warning.
Even in the absence of such a notice, vehicle identification will still be successful.
ARE THERE DIFFERENCES FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEHICLES?
Free Flow detects all kinds of vehicles in transit using a classification system based on size criteria: vehicles are differentiated based on volume, recording their length, width and height. To view the classification system, click here.
WHAT RATES WILL BE APPLIED?
In the Free Flow collection system, the toll is equivalent to the ratio between the unit tariffs per kilometre (approved by interministerial decree) and the section under examination increased by the additional fee (the so-called ‘surcharge’) to be paid to ANAS, pursuant to Article 19, paragraph 9 bis of Legislative Decree 78/2009, as amended by Law 102/2009 and by Article 15, paragraph 4, of Legislative Decree 78/2010. VAT at the current rate is added to this amount, without any final rounding. The unit tariff is commensurate with the characteristics of the infrastructure and the type of vehicle used according to its volumetric dimensions.
Unit rates are periodically updated according to the formula established in the Concession Agreement in place between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Asti-Cuneo Concessionary Company. Annual increases to the unit tariff shall apply without discretion to all tolled motorway sections operated by Asti-Cuneo.
Visit this page for a complete overview of the tolls charged.
WILL I RECEIVE A TOTAL CHARGE OR ONE FOR EACH PORTAL?
The system makes up the user’s journey according to the passage under the individual portals and the junctions travelled.
The amount to be paid shall be the total of the journeys travelled and not yet settled. In the case of passage under portal 6, the individual transit will be charged.
WHAT PAYMENT METHODS ARE ALLOWED?
People using an electronic toll device (such as AS24, Axxés, DKV, Telepass, Toll Ticket, Unipol) will be automatically identified by the portals and the toll will be charged according to the terms agreed with the service provider.
Those who do not have an electronic toll device will be able to pay online within 15 days of transiting, by registering with the Conto Targa system or by paying the toll as occasional users. Motorway transits will be visible for payment within 24 hours of transit.
In addition, it will be possible to pay the toll by going to the Info Point located at the offices of the A33 motorway Concessionary Company in Govone (CN), at two Touch Points located in public areas in Alba and Asti, and at three Pay Points located at the Cherasco, Sant’Albano and Castelletto Stura toll stations. To locate the payment points and obtain information on the payment methods accepted, click here.
For further details, call the toll-free number 800.033.021; however, toll payment by telephone is not allowed.
IF I DON'T HAVE A TELEPASS OR OTHER ELECTRONIC TOLL DEVICES, HOW CAN I PAY?
Those who do not have an electronic toll device will be able to pay online within 15 days of transiting, by registering with the Conto Targa system or by paying the toll as occasional users. Motorway transits will be visible for payment within 24 hours of transit.
In addition, it will be possible to pay the toll by going to the Info Point located at the offices of the A33 motorway Concessionary Company in Govone (CN), at two Touch Points located in public areas in Alba and Asti, and at three Pay Points located at the Cherasco, Sant’Albano and Castelletto Stura toll stations. To locate the payment points and obtain information on the payment methods accepted, click here.
For further details, call the toll-free number 800.033.021; however, toll payment by telephone is not allowed.
THE SYSTEM WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON THE ASTI (ROCCA SCHIAVINO) AND CASTAGNITO (ALBA EST) ROUTE. FOR THOSE TAKING THE A33 MOTORWAY FROM ASTI (CITY), WHERE DOES THE TOLL SECTION START?
Users will be subjected to charge, if they travel beyond the Isola d’Asti junction, and the toll fee will be linked to the stretch of motorway actually travelled. The motorway segment up to Isola d’Asti will remain free of charge for local journeys and those transiting exclusively under portal 1. The Free Flow system portals, active since 1 March, will be used for toll collection from 1 September. Until that date, nothing will change for users.
ARE THERE DISCOUNTS FOR LOCAL TRIPS WITHIN THE CITY OF ASTI?
The free-flowing section runs from Asti (Rocca Schiavino), to Isola d’Asti in both directions, and will remain so for anyone transiting exclusively under portal 1 located between these two localities. View the map.
ARE THERE ANY DISCOUNTS FOR VISITORS TO THE VERDUNO HOSPITAL?
Those using the Alba Ovest junction to travel to the Verduno ‘Michele e Pietro Ferrero’ hospital are not subject to any tolls.
As of 1 July, the Free Flow system will allow recognizing those vehicles that pass only under portal 6 (positioned between the Roddi and Alba Ovest interchanges) and that travel to the hospital complex passing under portal H (positioned along the hospital access road) and vice versa. The Free Flow system portals, even when active, will be used for toll collection from 1 September. Until that date, nothing will change for users. To view the portals in the map, click here.
ARE THERE DISCOUNTS FOR VEHICLES TRAVELLING ONLY ON THE ALBA RING ROAD?
The Alba ring road will remain free of charge, i.e. without tolls, for local journeys. The route will continue to be classified as secondary suburban road, although access to bicycles and mopeds will be forbidden. View the map.
WILL THE FREE FLOW SYSTEM BE ACTIVE TO REACH ASTI SOUTH REGION FROM ASTI USING THE A33 MOTORWAY VIA THE MOLINI DI ISOLA TUNNEL? AND WHAT ABOUT THE REVERSE ROUTE?
Those who want to reach southern Asti via the Molini di Isola SS456 tunnel will not have to pay any tolls.
WILL THE STRETCH FROM ASTI TO THE COSTIGLIOLE/GOVONE EXIT BE SUBJECTED TO CHARGE? AND WHAT ABOUT THE REVERSE ROUTE?
Those who travel the motorway section from Asti (Rocca Schiavino) to Costigliole/Govone or vice versa will be charged for the section actually travelled.