MikeJ

Just a small thought. If you decided to rent a DT at the first service area (Olhao) pay your 27Euros + 10 Euros pre-pay. The rules say that you have to return the DT to the same place that you got it - but on the way back to Faro you are on the wrong carriageway so how the heck do you return it?

If the far-thinking Portuguese motorway operator were to open a 24-hour office in the airport - that might solve it (but think of the queues) - or instal some self-service transponder machines (if such a thing exists) in the airport mall.
If we have to rely on the CTT then we can only arrive in Portugal mid-week and during office hours - certainly not at weekends or during public holidays. If anyone finds a post office with a clerk that speaks reasonable English then post it on here

Jon-Bxl

Awwww hell! More problems - thanks Mike


I posted on the Portugal thread some others that have come up to me as well. Like when you return the car at the airport how do you pay the charge - and will the cameras be real time for the non-transponder guys ??

Just have one glitch when you get to the airport IF theres an office there IF its open all hours..... and you cant pay. Result huge fines!!

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...15#post9249815

Also in your example even if you can return the transponder to the 'right' carriageway, you still have to use the m-way to get to the airport so there is a charge... and you dont have the transponder anymore!!

What a mess, Im sure that the more we think about this - the more issues will crop up.

I also hate leaving an open signed credit card voucher at the airport when I leave = blank cheque.

This bugs me more each day!! I have a new soapbox

Thanks
Jon

MikeCol

Maybe you just need a hobby Regards Bryony

lusitano

In "Portugal" the clerks at the "Portuguese" post offices speaks perfect "Portuguese" and most of them even speak reasonable English, as me.

Jon-Bxl

The problem is... one of our favourite hobbies is living in, and enjoying all that CE has to offer (and its a LOT) ...

We love it here .. for all sorts of reasons...

.............But.......

..............We fly and book a RENTAL CAR

Thats why I dug out the old soapbox!!

Thanks and see you soon

Jon

MikeJ

Not quite sure what your point is. Are you suggesting that all tourists and visitors to Portugal - even those who stay and live in Spain - will have to learn Portuguese to pay tolls?
I'm having enough trouble learning Spanish, French and English

MEL & JOHN

Really ????

JLFS

Who is asking Mel or John?

MEL & JOHN

Mel......John's just checking up on things somewhere !!

JLFS

OK Mel what do you want to know?

MEL & JOHN

It was a rhetorical question only so I'll believe what you what to think.

Mel

Jon-Bxl

Remember, Mel, often the guys that boast about it.... are only really committing 'wishful thinking'

Woodzie

This link sent to me by the portuguese tourist board explains all.
http://www.visitportugal.com/NR/exer...,frameless.htm .

Kim

Jon-Bxl

Hi Kim

Im not sure this really answers the concerns people have .... now I hear that we can pay from 2 days. So what happens when we go home to the airport? We will be returning the car a few mins after.

If a vehicle does not have an electronic device when circulating at the highways concerned, a photo of the license plate will be made and saved until the payment is made.
Term for payment: the payment can be made at the second day after having circulated at the roads mentioned above and for a period of five weekdays, at the post office or at one of the shops signalized as “Payshop”.

I dont think there is a payshop today at the airport. I use payshops for the internet service and couldnt do it at the airport. And anyway they need 2 days to process the photos. No good if youvve just come off.

So this option is out. So is the prepaid credit.

So we buy an electronic license plate 27 euros + 10 (min). Can we give it back on the other side of the m-way to where we bought it? And what about the cameras at the exit after the service station - and at the turnoff to the airport? Will they charge? Likewise when we arrive what happens on the m-way bit between the junction and the station?

Temp device - sounds the best as we get a refund on the device - but have to guess what we have used and what we will need. Again what happens once we give it in and carry on the mway to the airport. (+Vice versa coming in). I would prefer to overload it, IF I could get a refund on the prepaid as well.

The only sure fire way is to buy and carry with you always the Devices from a toll entity BUT do they accept Spanish accounts? If they do we are OK - but dont forget to bring it with you each time.

However the Car rental companies cant accept this - so they will want to keep credit cards open just in case.

This remains a terrible system and I can see many people getting in trouble... it will also discourage the Spanish crossing the border.

It doesnt work in practice as I can see it.

Jon

Jon-Bxl

Hi Kim

Could you share the email address please? That you used to contact the tourist board.

Perhaps if they get an email from a lot of us - they will start to understand!

Thanks again
Jon