Ankara’s Free‑Pass System: No More Toll Queues, Traffic Speeds Up

Ankara’s Akıncı Toll Station has just launched the Free‑Pass System (SGS), promising drivers a 30‑second time saving per kilometre and targeting a 10% reduction in fuel consumption.

A New Era of Traffic Flow

SGS eliminates the traditional toll booth model by automatically debiting vehicles through their HGS accounts, thereby removing toll islands and barriers.

Economic Impact: Fuel Savings and Carbon Reduction

■35 stations already transitioned to SGS, with a goal of 43 stations by year‑end.

■Average 1.5 litres of fuel saved per vehicle translates to annual savings of $1.2 million for 1,000 cars.

■Carbon emissions projected to fall by 8%, supporting Turkey’s 2035 net‑zero target.

Financial Dimension: Toll Collection Model and HGS Integration

■Automatic toll collection via HGS reduces operational time by 70%.

■Of the 106 toll stations, 35 use SGS, generating a 12% efficiency gain for the General Directorate of Highways budget.

The Bigger Picture: Turkey’s Highway Modernization Strategy

■2024 saw SGS implementation at Adapazarı, Sultanbeyli, Gerede and other key nodes.

■Planned conversions for Çeşme, Kaynaşlı, İskenderun, Adana East, Adana West, Mersin, Eminlik, and Suruç are set for 2025.

■Expanding to 43 stations aims to cut logistics costs by more than 5%.

Zeynep Kaya: This move marks a sustainable, efficiency‑driven transformation in Turkey’s transport infrastructure. Automated payment systems not only refine consumer spending habits but also streamline state revenue flows, while reduced carbon footprints become a pivotal factor for long‑term economic growth.