View source for Company:Linkt

{{Short description|E-TAG tolling brand in Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2011}}

{{Infobox company
| name = Linkt
| logo = Linkt logo.svg
| type = Public
| foundation = {{Start date|2017|df=y}} (as Linkt)
| location_city =
| location_country = Australia
| location = Melbourne
| locations = <!--# of locations-->
| key_people = 
| area_served = Queensland, Melbourne, Sydney
| industry = Transport
| products = 
| services = 
| revenue = 
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| num_employees = 
| parent = Transurban
| divisions = 
| subsid = 
| caption = 
| homepage = {{url|http://www.linkt.com.au/}}
| dissolved = 
| footnotes = 
}}

'''Linkt''' is Transurban's [[Finance:E-TAG|e-TAG]] tolling brand in Australia. Linkt first replaced the '''Roam Express''' brand in Sydney in 2017,<ref name=roam_express>{{cite web|url=https://www.transurban.com/content/dam/investor-centre/04/2017-Annual-Report.pdf|title=2017 Transurban Annual Report|publisher=Transurban|page=9
|date=2017|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref> followed by the '''go via''' brand in Queensland in May 2018, and then the '''Citylink''' brand (tolling system only) in Melbourne in July that year.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkt.com.au/brisbane/using-toll-roads/news/go-via-is-now-linkt|title=go via is now Linkt|website=Linkt|access-date=14 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306123455/https://www.linkt.com.au/brisbane/using-toll-roads/news/go-via-is-now-linkt|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transurban.com/news/linkt-rollout-now-complete|title=We're now all Linkt|publisher=Transurban|date=31 July 2018|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref> In August 2020, it also replaced the '''E-way''' brand that was used by Interlink Roads, the operator of M5 South-West Motorway and fully-owned by Transurban since October 2019.<ref name=eway1>{{cite web|url=https://www.linkt.com.au/help/managing-my-account/why-is-e-way-changing-to-linkt/sydney|title=Why E-way changed to Linkt|website=Linkt|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref><ref name=eway2>{{cite web|url=https://www.linkt.com.au/campaigns/eway-consumer/sydney|title=Your E-way account has changed|website=Linkt|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>

== History ==
===Queensland===
go via was the toll payment system introduced by Queensland Motorways as a part of [[Finance:Open road tolling|free-flow tolling]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govia.com.au/web/ssp/about-go-via|title=About go via|website=go via|access-date=14 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207231054/https://www.govia.com.au/web/ssp/about-go-via|archive-date=7 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> It replaced the previous E Toll system in Queensland.<ref>[https://www.govia.com.au/via/home/Customer+support/Need+help/Need+help Need help? One page approach].  Queensland Motorways. Retrieved 17 October 2012.</ref> The new system was introduced on 1 July 2009 and the "pay-on-the-spot" option was phased out on 22 July 2009, meaning cash was no longer a payment option, and stopping was no longer required. As drivers are no longer able to pay with cash, they need to choose one of the new methods of paying Queensland's toll roads, including Go Via tags, video/vehicle matching of licence plates and other methods.

go via has one million tolling accounts and more than 1.8&nbsp;million Linkt tags in use as of 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qldmotorways.com.au/_CMSImages/queenslandmotorways/QM982_Sustainability%20Report%202013_WEB_Dis02_nh.pdf |title=Home - go via network |publisher=Qldmotorways.com.au |accessdate=2015-03-30}}</ref>

The go via network enables motorists to bypass CBD traffic and use of three Brisbane motorways; the Bruce Highway in the north, the Pacific Motorway to the south and the Ipswich Motorway to the west. There is also the LinktGo app for infrequent toll users but the phone app has higher charges compared to a physical e-tag device.

On 16 May 2018, go via was replaced by Linkt.<ref name=":0" />

===Sydney===
Using the electronic tolling technology it developed for Citylink, Transurban launched the Roam brand in October 2005, two months before the Westlink M7 opened.<ref name=history>{{cite web|url=http://www.transurban.com.au/transurban_online/tu_nav_black.nsf/childdocs/-E4D1BC999BC1C1CDCA256F3F0024CBDC-C929EDC8717C3111CA2570520016DEB2?open|title=History|website=Transurban|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613021801/http://www.transurban.com.au/transurban_online/tu_nav_black.nsf/childdocs/-E4D1BC999BC1C1CDCA256F3F0024CBDC-C929EDC8717C3111CA2570520016DEB2?open|archive-date=13 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In January 2006, Transurban acquired Tollaust, who tolled and operated the M2 Hills Motorway.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/transurban-to-acquire-tollaust-20060104-gdmq67.html|title=Transurban to acquire Tollaust|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=4 January 2006|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.accc.gov.au/public-registers/mergers-registers/public-informal-merger-reviews/transurban-group-acquisition-of-tollaust-pty-ltd|title=Transurban Group - acquisition of Tollaust Pty Ltd|website=ACCC|date=15 February 2006 |access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref> Electronic tolling was introduced on the M2 and Tollaust continued to manage the Roam Express tolling for the M2 motorway.<ref name=history/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20080827/pdf/31bxrl10fz2y5n.pdf|title=Transurban Group Appendix 4E Year ended 30 June 2008|website=ASX|publisher=Transurban|date=2008|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref> Roam Express was rebranded Linkt in 2017.<ref name=roam_express/>

As a result of Transurban obtaining full ownership of Interlink Roads and its M5 South-West Motorway in October 2019, the E-way brand issued by Interlink Roads was also replaced by Linkt.<ref name=eway1/><ref name=eway2/>

==Tolling types==

===Tags===
Tags are installed inside of a vehicle's windscreen. As a vehicle travels under the toll point the tag will beep and the toll is deducted from the account.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=https://www.govia.com.au/via/home/Payment+options/go+viatag/ |title=Go viatag |publisher=Govia.com.au |accessdate=2015-03-30}}</ref> Customers have the choice of configuring their account to automatically top up or to manually top-up their account.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> With the tag, users can use their account on all toll roads in Australia.<ref name="govia.com.au" />

===Video Tolling===
With [[Finance:Video tolling|video tolling]], users do not need a tag fitted to their vehicle: instead, as they pass under a toll point, a photo is taken of the registration plate and matched to their linkt account.<ref name="govia.com.au">[https://www.govia.com.au/via/home/Payment+options/go+viavideo+account/ go viavideo account]. Queensland Motorways. Retrieved 17 October 2012.</ref> There is a small additional "video/vehicle matching" fee for this service.<ref name="govia.com.au"/>

===Business accounts===
Businesses can choose to either have a tag account or video tolling account, with a required minimum spending per month.<ref>[https://www.govia.com.au/via/home/Payment+options/go+viabusiness/ go viabusiness].  Queensland Motorways. Retrieved 17 October 2012.</ref>

===Passes===
Passes are designed for drivers who only use toll roads occasionally or for those who want to pay for a one-off trip.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govia.com.au/via/home/Payment+options/go+viavideo+passes/go+viavideo+pass/go+viavideo+pass |title=Go viavideo pass |publisher=Govia.com.au |accessdate=2015-03-30}}</ref> 

==== Victoria ====
Linkt offers three pass types for Victoria:

* 24 Hour Pass
* Weekend Pass
* Melbourne Pass

The 24 Hour Pass splits into two sub pass types, a full pass and a limited pass. 

* The full pass allows full travel on the CityLink Toll Road.
* The limited pass allows travel on the Tullamarine Freeway between Bulla Road (Melbourne Airport) and Flemington Road.

All Passes allows access onto the CityLink Tollway with the Melbourne Pass allowing additional access onto the EastLink Tollway.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Where can I travel on a pass? - Linkt|url=https://www.linkt.com.au/help/buying-a-pass/where-can-i-travel-on-a-pass/melbourne|access-date=2021-06-16|website=www.linkt.com.au}}</ref>

==== New South Wales ====
Linkt only offers one pass type for New South Wales, which allows access to all toll road within Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What toll roads will my Sydney Pass work on? - Linkt|url=https://www.linkt.com.au/help/buying-a-pass/what-toll-roads-will-my-sydney-pass-work-on/sydney|access-date=2021-06-16|website=www.linkt.com.au}}</ref>

==== Queensland ====
Linkt only offers one pass type for Queensland which works on all toll roads in Queensland.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Can I use my pass on interstate toll roads? - Linkt|url=https://www.linkt.com.au/help/buying-a-pass/can-i-use-my-pass-on-interstate-toll-roads/brisbane|access-date=2021-06-16|website=www.linkt.com.au}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
An online petition to protest toll charges and fines from Go Via (now Linkt) gained thousands of supporters in days, many from the Sunshine Coast.<ref>{{cite news|date=2015-02-13|title=Online toll protest gains thousands of supporters|newspaper=Sunshine Coast Daily|location=Sunshine Coast|url=http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/mix-ups-take-toll-on-angry-drivers/2543060/|access-date=2015-06-09}}</ref>

==See also==
* Road transport in Brisbane

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.transurban.com Transurban official website]
*[http://www.linkt.com.au Linkt official website]
*[http://brisbanenetwork.linkt.com.au/ Brisbane Linkt network official website]

===Previous websites===
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20200416155813/https://www.tollpay.com.au/ E-way] (April 2020)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180313161236/https://www.govia.com.au/ go via] (March 2018)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170204212500/https://www.roamexpress.com.au/ Roam Express] (February 2017)

{{DEFAULTSORT:go via}}
[[Category:Electronic toll collection]]
[[Category:Companies (Finance)]]
[[Category:Companies]]

{{Sourceattribution|Linkt}}