New Alliance Established to Promote Road User Charging Initiatives Across Asia-Pacific
A groundbreaking alliance has emerged in the Asia-Pacific region to champion road user charging (RUC) and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Launched at the 2025 Smart Mobility Summit, the Asia-Pacific Road User Charging Alliance (APRUCA) unites ITS Taiwan, ITS Thailand, ITS India Forum, and ITS New Zealand, alongside transportation agencies and industry leaders. This coalition aims to foster collaboration, exchange expertise, and tackle regional transportation challenges through innovative road pricing and mobility solutions. FETC International and its parent company, FETC, co-hosted the summit and were instrumental in establishing the alliance.
On March 19, 2025, in Taipei, the alliance was cemented with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the Smart Mobility Summit. This agreement commits members to share knowledge, shape policies, and deepen regional ties. The MOU also establishes a rotating host system for the Asia-Pacific Road User Charging gathering, offering a forum for policymakers, industry experts, and transportation professionals to develop cutting-edge solutions.
Driving Smart Mobility Through Regional Unity
Yi-Fang Shih, President of ITS Taiwan, highlighted the alliance’s importance, noting, “As Taipei gears up for the 2029 ITS World Congress, this alliance reflects our commitment to regional partnership. It’s poised to spark innovative ITS advancements across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.” The alliance will prioritize technologies like electronic toll collection, congestion pricing, and AI-powered traffic management, alongside data-driven pricing strategies.
Dr. YC Chang, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of ITS Taiwan, stressed the value of collective effort: “Together, we can craft sustainable, efficient road pricing systems that elevate transportation across the region.”
Pioneering Sustainable Road Pricing Solutions
Dr. Tongkarn Kaewchalermtong, President of ITS Thailand, emphasized RUC’s potential: “Road user charging is a game-changer for optimizing traffic and securing sustainable infrastructure funding. This alliance will help us align with global standards and practices.”
Akhilesh Srivastava, the President of the ITS India Forum, is emphasizing the significance of a partnership in advancing global collaboration. His statement highlights that this partnership is a major step forward, especially in the context of innovation in “RUC” (which could refer to a specific technology or concept related to the forum’s focus) and working toward the goal of achieving net-zero emissions. Essentially, Srivastava is underscoring how this collaboration will drive progress in both technological innovation and environmental sustainability on a global scale.
Armin Guttke, President of ITS New Zealand, underscored the alliance’s forward-looking vision: “We’re thrilled to be part of this effort. It’s essential for crafting effective road pricing solutions that boost economic growth, environmental health, and societal well-being through regional teamwork.”
An Open Invitation to Collaborate
The alliance welcomes participation from ITS organizations, transport agencies, and toll operators to join its mission of creating road user charging solutions that benefit all stakeholders—governments, operators, and drivers alike. By pooling regional expertise and encouraging cross-border cooperation, APRUCA aims to build a smarter, greener, and more efficient transportation future for the Asia-Pacific.
This united endeavor marks a pivotal move toward overcoming regional mobility hurdles and laying the groundwork for equitable, innovative transportation systems.
