The Electronic Toll Collection system, introduced in 2001 to collect highway fees without drivers having to stop, is gaining in popularity due to discounts for installing the system and reduced fees for users.
The Organization for Road System Enhancement, which manages the ETC system, said the number of vehicles registered with the system began sharply increasing early last year and totaled 202,200 in December, a record monthly high, to bring the cumulative total to 2.11 million.
"Until around 2002, registration had been sluggish. But since the beginning of 2003, it has begun soaring," said Hiroshi Hosomi, who is in charge of the ETC system at Autobacs Seven Co.
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