
By November, tollways around the metro are required to go cashless. This means that toll services won't be accepting bills and coins anymore in line with the government's plan to minimize coronavirus transmission.
The modern system is called Radio Frequency Identification or RFID. It comes in the form of a sticker with a designated barcode that will be read by a scanner.
Motorists can purchase their RFID at gasoline stations as well as several booths installed on the tolls managed by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC).
It's worth noting though that SMC and MPTC are not utilizing the same cashless payment service technology.
SMC tolls are using Autosweep, while MPTC-managed tollways are under Easytrip.
The tolls under SMC are South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), NAIA Expressway (NAIAX), STAR Tollway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).
Meanwhile, MPTC handles the tollways North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Cavite-Manila Expressway (Cavitex), Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), and C5 South Link.
The deadline for getting the Autosweep RFID has been moved from November 2 to November 30 according to SMC.
On the other hand, MPTC assured motorists that they can still use MPTC-operated tollways in November even without RFID.
However, motorists will be reminded to register when they pass by these tolls so as to avoid inconvenience once the system is fully ready to be rolled out.
At the moment, Autosweep tags can be used on MPTC-operated tollways provided that you register for an Easytrip account using the same Autosweep tag that you already have.
However, Easytrip tags are still not honored on SMC-operated tollways as of the moment.
If you're thinking of registering your vehicle for either or both RFIDs, here is the list of 24/7 installation sites that you can visit:
Easytrip: Bocaue Barrier Lane, Lane X01, NLEX; Balintawak Lane, Lane N10, NLEX; CIC Customer Service northbound and southbound (ambulant), Cavitex; Merville Toll, C5 South Link; Taguig Toll Plaza, C5 South Link; Mamplasan-Greenfield Customer Service Center (Biñan-bound), CALAX; Laguna Boulevard Toll Plaza, CALAX (Class 1 vehicles only), and Laguna Technopark Toll Plaza, CALAX (Class 1 vehicles only)
Autosweep: C5 Customer Service Center southbound, Skyway/NAIAX; Old NAIAX Drive-Thru westbound, Skyway/NAIAX; Southwoods Toll Plaza northbound, SLEX; After Calamba Entry Toll Plaza, SLEX; Eton Toll Plaza northbound, SLEX; and TPLEX Tarlac Main Office northbound, SLEX.