Telepass increases prices: here’s how not to pay

It takes a little patience and then you’re done. The wait is over just say the magic word, “withdraw”, and the Telepass subscription becomes free instead of increasingat least for a year. No price increases, no devices to return, no running around looking for a new system to avoid queues at ring road and motorway toll booths.

The news had been circulating for weeks and became reality through the emails that have been reaching all customers of the service for days: Telepass has decided to revise (upwards) the monthly fees. From 1 July 2024 the Basic version will go from the current 1.83 to 3.90 euros. Translated, an increase of over 113% which certainly couldn’t have been welcome news for customers, who are many, over six million across Europe. But there is something new.

In the email sent by Telepass, where the unilateral modification of the contract is communicated, we remind you of the right of withdrawal – by 30 June – and the related communication methods. Once you contact the toll-free assistance number, however, the advantageous offer arrives immediately: those who decide not to leave the company are immediately offered one year of free service, with no restrictions for the future.

Just one voice? We did the test. The most difficult thing seems to be reaching the operator. From the early hours of the morning, by dialing the number 800904940, a recorded message warns that “the service is not currently available”. We are luckier at lunch time, the wait is about ten minutes: the voice of a kind lady, as soon as she has heard our wish to cancel the subscription, confirms the promotion. A verbal confirmation is enough, and for the next 12 months the fee is eliminated.

Today, in Italy there are three operators to offer the toll on all Italian motorways, the ticket for the ferry on the Strait of Messina, Area C of Milan: as well as Telepass, UnipolMove and MooneyGo. Both of the latter offer the electronic toll service at a lower monthly fee than Telepass: Pay per use UnipolMove has a cost equal to half the cost of Telepass at 1.50 euros per month; MooneyGo will remain the only company to offer the «Pay per use» service on a monthly basis for 2.20 euros.