1 month ago
11
The operators and concessionaires of the country’s expressways are in full support of the reimplementation of the cashless toll collection policy beginning next month.
In a joint statement on Saturday, Feb. 15, San Miguel Corp. (SMC) Infrastructure, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), MCX Tollway Inc., Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and its subsidiary PEA Tollway Corp. (PEATC) expressed their endorsement of the policy.
“We, the toll concessionaires operating the country’s expressways, fully support the government’s initiative to reimplement the Cashless/Contactless Toll Collection Policy,” the statement read.
“This policy plays a key role in easing traffic at toll plazas, improving safety and convenience for motorists, and optimizing expressway operations,” it added.
The cashless policy, embodied in Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2024-001 issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), will be in effect starting March 15.
This comes after months of dry-runs and deferrals by the DOTr to give motorists more time to adjust, as well as for operators to further fine-tune their systems.
The JMC mandates all motor vehicles traversing toll expressways to have a valid Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) device or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sticker installed on them.
Based on data from the TRB, nearly all expressway users—specifically 97 percent—already used an ETC device or RFID sticker for tall payments.
“With the reimplementation of the cashless/contactless toll collection policy, we encourage the remaining 3% of motorists who still pay in cash to switch to RFID for a faster, more efficient, and seamless toll experience,” the toll concessionaires said.
The concessionaires told motorists that transitioning to a cashless endeavor is “simple and hassle-free”, noting that the installation requires no payment with no maintaining balance or minimum load required.
The group said reloading is also accessible through customer service centers, kiosks, banks, e-wallets, and other payment platforms, making it convenient to manage one’s account.
“As toll operators, we are committed to continuously improving our systems to provide safer, faster, and more convenient expressway travel for all,” they said.
The TRB, in explaining the directive, noted that a more efficient flow of traffic is expected once toll lanes are exclusively cashless.
The agency said motor vehicles without a valid ETC device or RFID sticker will still be allowed to enter the toll lane, but shall be installed with the said tag and be issued a temporary operator’s permit or a show cause order for violating the policy.
“The TRB encouraged motorists to have their vehicles installed with RFIDs as installation and loading stations are available inside and outside of expressways,” it said.
