The Department of Transportation (DOTr) project to implement a 100% cashless-based toll transaction that aims to lessen the exposure of motorists to the deadly virus has moved its operation to December 1.
This is to provide time for motorists to complete the 2 Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) requirements. RFID stickers are needed to gain access to different expressways.
Valenzuela Representative Wes Gatchalian commented on DOTr’s project to delay the implementation. He said, implementing the cashless system this early will only create more problems for the motoring public because the interoperability of the EasyTrip and Autosweep cards is yet to take effect next year.
“Since the government targets to have full interoperability by next year anyway, then we should also consider delaying the implementation of the cashless toll collection until next year,” he said. “I understand that TRB Executive Director Abraham Sales has said there will no longer be extensions after December 1, but implementing the cashless payment scheme without interoperability will only create more problems for our motoring public.”
Meanwhile, Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Executive Director Abraham Sales said that DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade has approved the extension for motorists to install the required RFID stickers from November 2 to December 1.
“This will be the last time that we will be extending. No more extension beyond December 1,” Sales said.
The two RFID Stickers are free of charge and both have different features to avoid confusion for the motorists. To those who have existing tags, the user is allowed to consume the load or may transfer the existing load to the new RFIDs before the interoperability becomes fully functional.
The DOTr, through the TRB, has also assured the public to add a number of installation booths and manpower to fasten the release of both RFIDs before the due date of the extension.
“As for the issue of limited RFID installation sites, the solution is not to defer the cashless program, but for toll operators to increase the number of installation booths and manpower along strategic places,” DOTr stated.
The two tags to be issued are under two private toll operators. The Autosweep tags are used in the following San Miguel Corporation (SMC) tollways: Skyway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIA Expressway), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR Tollway, Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX), and the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX); while the Easytrip tags are for Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) roads such as the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), C5 Southlink, and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).
Photo Credit: dpwh.gov.ph
