File photo: IC

A total of 487 manned expressed toll booths at provincial borders have been removed across China, the country's transport ministry announced on Wednesday.

A cash-free system replaced the manned stations to continue the toll collection. The removal is a major step taken by China to facilitate non-stop payment at toll motorways. 

In May, China issued a mandate to phase out manned toll booths at provincial borders by the end of 2019 and promote electronic toll collection (ETC) systems. As of December 4, the total number of the ETC users stood at 181.01 million, according to official data.

The shift is expected to smooth the expressway traffic flow, relieve congestion and reduce logistics costs, said Wu Dejin, head of the Highway Bureau of the Ministry of Transport. 

A set of collaborative measures will follow this year to improve the traffic efficiency of the national highway network, including incorporating freight trucks into the ETC systems and expanding fast tracks for fresh produce transportation, sad Wu.  

(Compiled by Chen Lidan)