Arcus Infrastructure Partners is pleased to announce that, as of the end of June 2019, the automatic toll collection method, AmberGO, has commenced along the Polish A1 AmberOne Motorway (“AmberOne”).
AmberGO relies on a modern number plate recognition system to allow AmberGO’s subscribers to travel on the AmberOne motorway without having to collect any ticket or to stop to manually pay at the toll plaza. The system requires a one-time installation of a mobile application, and does not require customers to purchase or install any on-board units. It is expected to be 3 times quicker than traditional cash or card toll payment systems. As a result, AmberGO will increase the capacity of the toll plazas, limiting queues at peak times, reduce carbon emissions and improve the overall experience for all travellers without any additional cost. The digital infrastructure investment in AmberGo was entirely funded by Gdansk Transport Company (“GTC”), without additional costs to either users or Polish taxpayers.
This was possible due to the good relationship with all stakeholders. At the press conference for the opening of AmberGO, the Minister of Infrastructure thanked GTC and underlined the very good cooperation between the public side and GTC.
Following the launch of the digital system, the statistics look very promising with about 50,000 active users registered in the system, and about 5% of the toll payment transactions already going through the AmberGO system.
Stefano Brugnolo, a Partner at Arcus who oversaw the process, commented on behalf of Arcus: “It has been a pleasure for us to support the Minister and GTC in this ambitious project which will benefit all AmberOne’s users. Stakeholder relationship and commitment to innovation are two central pillars to Arcus’ broader strategy and it is very satisfying when both can be achieved at the same time, as in this case”.
The roll out of the AmberGO system provides another example of Arcus’ strong asset management approach to its managed investments and enhances our track record of improving mobility through technology across the portfolio companies.
About GTC
GTC is the concessionaire of the AmberOne A1 motorway in Poland, one of the country’s main traffic routes running through central Poland, connecting Rusocin, south of Gdańsk, to Toruń. This 152-km stretch is the northernmost section of the A1 motorway. From Toruń onwards, the route leads via Łódź, Czestochowa and Katowice, south to Gorzyczki on the State border. The concession is due to expire in 2039.
About AmberGO
AmberGO is an automatic payment system based on automatic number plate recognition system, requiring only one-time installation of a mobile application. The system is easy to use, requiring a simple download of the payment application for a phone, a vehicle registration number and a payment card. AmberOne system has no tickets, and no waiting time at the gates, making customer experience substantially easier.
About Arcus
Arcus Infrastructure Partners is an independent fund manager focussed solely on mid-market investments in European infrastructure. Arcus invests on behalf of institutional investors through discretionary funds and special co-investment vehicles and, through its subsidiaries, currently manages investments with an aggregate enterprise value in excess of €15bn (as of 31 March 2019). Arcus targets value-add infrastructure investments, with a particular focus on businesses in the transportation, energy and telecommunications sectors.
Media Contacts
Stephan Grillmaier
stephan.grillmaier@arcusip.com
+44 20 7832 3400
Issued on 15 July 2019
by Arcus European Investment Manager LLP