Cashless payment on tollways to be fully-implemented soon

In order to ensure the safety of local motorists from social contact, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will require expressways to support cashless or contactless payments.

Related: NLEX Balintawak and Mindanao Ave toll plaza extensions now only serve RFIDs

This is in conjunction with the DOTr’s order 2020-012, stating that all expressways must transition to 100% electronic toll collection lanes not later than November 2, 2020. This toll collection system is set to be implemented on all road networks, which includes the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX), South Metro Manila Skyway, Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway, and other extensions of the existing expressway facilities mentioned.

This involves the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), wherein it is tasked to formulate the needed rules and regulations in requiring concessionaires and operators of toll expressways to permanently support the electronic toll collection.

The given order also involves the Land Transportation Office (LTO), wherein it was instructed to present a study that would let them find ways to allow the full implementation of this cashless and contactless system on expressways. Moreover, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be the ones to monitor the compliance of all Public Utility Vehicles with mandatory use or installation of the needed electronic tags.

Aside from the aforementioned highways, the DOTr is also considering the collection of toll fees from motorists passing through EDSA, which they believe, will serve as a counter solution with the ongoing traffic problem. This proposal, however, shall require Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

Apart from this system’s convenience factor, the agency strongly believes that this tactic will complement other health protocols now being enforced by the government, which includes physical distancing. While this full-adjustment might take a long time but in the long run, this overall tactic should somewhat enlighten the lives of local motorists.