5 ms·

In Indonesia, this kind of business is well known but in toll roads. Having your car broken down is the least of your problem. They will come, drag your car to

In Indonesia, this kind of business is well known but in toll roads. Having your car broken down is the least of your problem. They will come, drag your car to their affiliated workshop, charge you high fees, and then the workshop charges you high fees as well. You can refuse, but it involves lots of persistence.

mastazi 8y ago
This also used to be very common on the GRA, the motorway that runs around Rome (Italy). I was a victim of such a scheme once. If I remember well, the problem was finally solved due to the fact that at some point tow trucks were banned from the GRA altogether.
- jpatokal 8y ago
  So what happens when your car breaks down? Do you need to push it yourself?
  - LoSboccacc 8y ago
    The tow is managed by your insurer. You get a fixed price or reduced price depending on your insurance. You get a toll free number and usually instructions not to trust random towers you didn’t call for.
  - mastazi 8y ago
    My understanding is that official ACI[1] trucks, as opposed to private ones, are still allowed, if your car breaks down on the GRA your insurer will send an ACI truck [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_Club_d%27Italia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_Club_d%27Italia
dsfyu404ed 8y ago
This is how it works on the Jersey turnpike but the IIRC right to tow people from a particular stretch of road on a particular day of the week is bid on like any other state contract (my details may be a little off but point is you can't call whatever company you want).
- berbec 8y ago
  Same on New York thruways. Each section is leased to a single tow company that will "cut you a deal" on the tow if you go to their shop for repairs.
klackerz 8y ago
In some stretches of highways in India, people will throw nails on road and the only nearby repair shop will be theirs.
- eps 8y ago
  That's a world-wide practice, I can assure you of that.

mastazi 8y ago

This also used to be very common on the GRA, the motorway that runs around Rome (Italy). I was a victim of such a scheme once. If I remember well, the problem was finally solved due to the fact that at some point tow trucks were banned from the GRA altogether.

jpatokal 8y ago
So what happens when your car breaks down? Do you need to push it yourself?
- LoSboccacc 8y ago
  The tow is managed by your insurer. You get a fixed price or reduced price depending on your insurance. You get a toll free number and usually instructions not to trust random towers you didn’t call for.
- mastazi 8y ago
  My understanding is that official ACI[1] trucks, as opposed to private ones, are still allowed, if your car breaks down on the GRA your insurer will send an ACI truck [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_Club_d%27Italia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_Club_d%27Italia

dsfyu404ed 8y ago

This is how it works on the Jersey turnpike but the IIRC right to tow people from a particular stretch of road on a particular day of the week is bid on like any other state contract (my details may be a little off but point is you can't call whatever company you want).

berbec 8y ago
Same on New York thruways. Each section is leased to a single tow company that will "cut you a deal" on the tow if you go to their shop for repairs.

klackerz 8y ago

In some stretches of highways in India, people will throw nails on road and the only nearby repair shop will be theirs.

eps 8y ago
That's a world-wide practice, I can assure you of that.