MANILA, Philippines — The full implementation of cashless transactions in all major expressways in the country is all set for December 1.

This means all tollways will no longer accept cash payment in line with the government’s effort to curb the transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This is the reason why motorists are encouraged to secure RFID stickers as early as possible.

Motorists using the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx) and the Cavite–Laguna Expressway (CALAEx) are required to have the Easy Trip RFID sticker.

Meanwhile, motorists plying the Skyway, South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAx), Star Tollway and the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX) are required to have the Autosweep RFID sticker.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) clarified however, that the December 1 deadline is set only for tollway operators and it does not apply to motorists.

“Iyong pagkakabit po kasi ng RFID stickers ay magpapatuloy kahit matapos na ang December 2020 lalo na para doon sa mga first time toll users sa mga bagong sasakyan,” said DOTr ASec. Goddess Hope Libiran.

“Kung puno na ang slots sa online appointment systems doon ka po sa tollgate kakabitan,” she added.

The DOTr will have a transition period for motorists to have ample time to adapt to the system.

From December 1 to January 11, 2021, motorists without RFID stickers will not be penalized even if they pass the tollways.

“After January 11 hindi na po lahat ng lanes sa tollgate ay pwedeng maconvert na stickering lane. Maari lang po silang ma-tiketan kung sila po ay pipila doon sa RFID only lane lalo na kung sila ay magdudulot po ng aberya o ng abala dun sa mga sasakyan na nasa likuran nila,” Libiran said.

As the deadline approaches, the DOTr will intensify its RFID installation making it operational 24/7 aside from the online appointments and special lanes so that more motorists will be able to avail.

Meanwhile, tollway operators advised motorists to refrain from purchasing RFID stickers online to avoid problems and make sure the stickers are installed properly.

“We’re just imposing few more controls because ang pagkakabit ng sticker by the customers themselves. We also found out medyo prone to mistakes. Sa dami po ng klase ng sasakyan natin meron pa ring margin of error na pagdating po natin sa toll lane magkakaproblema,” reminded Atty Romulo Quimbo Jr, MPTC Chief Communications Officer.

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday announced that the start of the implementation of full cashless transactions on expressways has been moved from November 2 to December 1.

In an advisory, the DOTr said the enforcement of the 100% cashless transaction was pushed to a later date to give more time for motorists who have yet to install radio frequency identification (RFID) stickers on their vehicles.

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), an attached agency of the DOTr supervising toll road operations, earlier said that the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) have expressed readiness to implement cashless toll collections but have extended the installation of the RFID stickers beyond November 2.

But according to the DOTr, the deadline will no longer be extended beyond December 1.

Motorists who fail to conform to the government mandate will be apprehended and issued a citation ticket, it added.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor reminded motorists to make use of the extended deadline to have RFIDs installed in their vehicles as early as they can.

“Iwasan natin ‘yung kung kailan isang linggo na lang, tsaka tayo magmamadaling magpunta sa installation sites para magpakabit ng RFID. Now, we are extending the deadline to give further consideration. Let us use the extension wisely,” Pastor said.

The DOTr earlier issued Department Order 2020-012, which ordered the full implementation of cashless toll collections at expressways and major toll roads, in line with the government’s thrust to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and to avoid traffic congestion in toll plazas. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Joan Nano)

MANILA, Philippines – Motorists without radio frequency identification (RFID) stickers would still be allowed entry to toll plazas even with the implementation of the electronic toll collection system in expressways on November 2, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said.

In a statement Sunday, TRB Executive Director Abraham Sales said toll operators have expressed readiness to shift to contactless transactions as directed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to promote cashless transactions and to ensure more efficient flow of traffic.

Sales said the installation of RFID stickers in expressways has also been extended beyond the November 2 deadline.

“It’s all systems go at the toll roads. All lanes will be RFID lanes. Those without RFID stickers will be allowed entry to the toll plaza and will be led to a nearby area for their RFID subscription before being allowed to proceed with their expressway travel,” he said.

“Further, to avoid overcrowding at toll plazas and to accommodate infrequent toll road users, the operators have extended the RFID installation,” he added.

The DOTr earlier issued Department Order 2020-012 which mandated cashless collections on expressways in line with the government’s thrust to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and to facilitate ease of passage.

Under the order, the TRB, an attached agency of the DOTr, shall ensure that operators install electronic tags or other cashless systems for all motorists and motor vehicles using the expressways and transact only thru the cashless mode of payment.

The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) operates the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), the C5 Link and the the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) expressways.

The San Miguel Corp. (SMC) meanwhile operates the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), the Skyway System, the NAIA Expressway, and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).

The MPTC earlier said motorists who will not have Easytrip RFID stickers installed by November 2 will still be allowed passage in NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, C5 Link and CALAX, but will be directed to the RFID installation lanes where they can have their RFID stickers installed.

The corresponding toll fee charge for their passage on that particular day will then be deducted from the initial load that they paid in getting the RFID stickers.

Meanwhile, SMC expressways said it will also extend the free installation of its Autosweep RFID stickers.

The toll operator emphasized that November 30 will be the absolute deadline. After this, vehicles without RFID stickers will not be allowed to enter SMC-operated tollways including Skyway, SLEX, NAIAX, STAR Tollways, and TPLEX.