ITS New Zealand, ITS Taiwan, ITS Thailand, and ITS India have signed an MoU at the inception of a new Asia-Pacific alliance focused on road user charging.
Globally Road User Charging is an area of increasing attention and the Asia-Pacific region is no exception. With growing fleets of electric vehicles impacting traditional transport revenue systems and growing technology-enabled opportunities for traffic management, transport demand management, and asset management, governments are seeking information on effective solutions for cities and nations.
Armin Guttke, President of ITS New Zealand, underscored the alliance’s importance in shaping the future of transportation: “We are excited to join this alliance, which is vital for contributing to effective road pricing solutions through regional collaboration, ensuring outcomes that support the economy, environment, and society for a sustainable future.”
The Asia-Pacific Road User Charging Alliance (Apruca) was launched at the 2025 Smart Mobility Summit in Taipei, Taiwan attended by ITS Taiwan, ITS Thailand, ITS India Forum, and ITS New Zealand. The organisations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which commits them to knowledge exchange and policy development, with plans to grow the alliance membership across the region. The alliance says it welcomes ITS associations, transport agencies, and toll operators to join in advancing road user charging solutions “that benefit governments, operators, and road users alike”.
Plans for the alliance include members taking turns to host a meeting for Road User Charging, providing a opportunity for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and transportation experts to share insights and jointly address mobility challenges in electronic toll collection, congestion pricing, road pricing, and emerging technologies, including AI-driven traffic management and data-driven pricing models.
It is important to note that tolling provider FETC International and its parent company, FETC, co-organised the Smart Mobility Summit where the agreement was made. and “played a pivotal role” in supporting the alliance’s formation.
“Joining this alliance demonstrates our commitment to regional cooperation,” said Yi-Fang Shih, president of ITS Taiwan. “We believe this initiative will foster innovative ITS applications across Asia-Pacific and contribute valuable insights to the global community. Dr. YC Chang, chairman of the board of supervisors of ITS Taiwan, says: “By working together, we can develop innovative and sustainable road pricing mechanisms that enhance efficiency and fairness in transportation.”
“RUC is a transformative policy tool that not only optimises traffic flow but also ensures sustainable funding for transport infrastructure,” said Dr. Tongkarn Kaewchalermtong, president of ITS Thailand. “Through this alliance, we aim to advance RUC technologies and implementation strategies in alignment with global best practices.”
Akhilesh Srivastava, president of ITS India Forum, comments that the new alliance will foster “global knowledge exchange, innovation in road user charging, and the pursuit of net zero goals”.
If your government or organisation is interested in joining the Alliance, please get in contact with ITSNZ.