|
Some points about the tollbooths in northern Spain, where I live: (It's only on stretches of Autopista in the Basque Country that we actually have tolls to contend with, and the franchises have another 15 years to run!)
* There are now no "dedicated" tollbooth lanes for cars equipped with the electronic payment device, at least on the AP8 and AP68; all tollbooth lanes seem to be shared, so keep an eye on the illuminated signs - "T" (automatic toll payment); green arrow ("all vehicles") and "cash/card payment only" (white dot matrix) above your chosen lane.
* Lane designations seem to be at the whim of the operator - and with staff cutbacks, there may only be one attended booth out of a dozen or more.
* Automatic barriers are especially slow on the AP8. In eastern Spain, the AP7 has gone in the opposite direction, with newly introduced "free flow" barrier-free operation allowing fairly rapid transit (up to 60 km/h).
* Always be on the lookout for last minute lane-changers in blind spot-plagued SUVs and "Fitipaldis" who regard the 40 km/h approach speed as a minimum and "only for wimps".
¡Buenas vacaciones!
*A word of warning: an ongoing wildcat strike amongst some of Bilbao's traffic wardens makes on-street parking a bit complicated - I'd recommend using underground car parks if possible. Coastal towns of Algorta, Plentzia and Sopela are well worth a visit IMHO*
Edited by Bilboman on 08/01/2018 at 22:33
|
