By Advent Shoko
HARARE – The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) has introduced the Frequent Traveller Express Pass (FTEP), a new service designed to give motorists one major thing many have been asking for at tollgates: convenience.
In its first notification to the public, ZINARA said the FTEP is aimed at frequent road users who want to skip tollgate queues, reduce waiting time and enjoy a faster, smoother journey. The pass allows eligible motorists to use express lanes, cutting out long delays that have become common during peak travel periods.
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ZINARA said the FTEP is ideal for daily commuters, business operators, transporters and motorists who regularly pass through tollgates and want a more predictable, hassle-free travel experience. With the pass, toll payments are quicker and movement through toll plazas is significantly improved.
Motorists can obtain the Frequent Traveller Express Pass from ZINARA licensing offices or tollgates, excluding the Plumtree to Mutare route.
ZINARA also announced that the FTEP rollout is part of a wider push to make tolling in Zimbabwe simpler and more convenient through cashless systems.
One of the key tools supporting this shift is the ZINARA Prepaid Card. The prepaid card allows motorists to load funds in advance and pay toll fees quickly without using cash. This reduces transaction time at tollgates and helps keep traffic moving.
Importantly, ZINARA said Prepaid Card holders are eligible for E-Tag registration, which unlocks access to express lanes and allows motorists to glide through tollgates with minimal stopping. The ZINARA E-Tag uses electronic tolling technology to automatically process payments, further reducing delays.
Motorists whose vehicles qualify under the Residential Discount are also eligible for express passage at selected tollgates once registered for the E-Tag, adding another layer of convenience for local road users.
To make the system even easier to use, ZINARA announced that motorists can now check their Prepaid Card balance via WhatsApp. Drivers simply send the last eight digits of their card to +263 771 288 940 and receive an instant balance update, allowing them to plan ahead before reaching a tollgate.
ZINARA also addressed common challenges faced by motorists on long journeys. The authority confirmed that lost transit coupons can be reissued at the nearest VID depot or tollgate, excluding the Plumtree to Mutare route, ensuring that travellers are not stranded due to missing documents.
For those travelling in transit, ZINARA reminded motorists that Transit Coupons are valid for 14 days from the date of purchase. If the validity period expires, renewal can be done at ZINARA tollgates or VID depots nationwide, again excluding the Plumtree to Mutare route.
The introduction of the Frequent Traveller Express Pass, together with prepaid cards, E-Tags and digital balance checks, signals a clear move by ZINARA towards faster, smarter and more convenient tollgate services.
For motorists, the message is straightforward: less queuing, less cash handling and smoother journeys, with convenience now at the centre of how Zimbabwe’s tollgates operate.
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