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SMC Infra starts refunding motorists affected by e-toll collection system disruption
San Miguel Corp.’s southern tollways operator SMC Infrastructure on Wednesday started issuing refunds for all motorists affected by the disruption in the electronic toll collection (ETC) system last week.
In a statement, SMC Infra said the refunds will cover all vehicles that passed through affected tollways, including the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR Tollway, NAIA Expressway, and Skyway from Alabang to Buendia on November 17, Thursday, from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
in the radio frequency identification (RFID) or ETC system caused disruptions and traffic jam in some parts of SLEX, Skyway, NAIAX, and STAR last Thursday morning.The company said it has determined that the cables sustained damage as a result of a recent major accident that severely affected a pedestrian footbridge along Dr. A. Santos Avenue in Sucat, Paranaque, which was later demolished.
SMC Infra said the traffic built up along the expressways, prompted the company to lift toll plaza barriers to allow vehicles to pass through freely and ease congestion.
To effect the refund, SMC Infra said it will electronically credit the Autosweep accounts of vehicles with RFID tags starting November 23.
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Meanwhile, motorists who paid in cash will be given a one-time free pass, which they can use at any exit of SLEX, STAR, NAIAx, or Skyway Stages 1 and 2, it said.
“Motorists can avail their free pass at any cash/mixed-lane exits along the toll roads by surrendering their valid official receipt issued on November 17 from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.,” SMC Infra said.
“Tellers will validate the receipts, which will serve as proof that the motorist is entitled to the one-time pass,” it added.
SMC Infra said the refund period will begin on November 23 up to December 22, 2022.
To ensure smooth traffic, the company said it would deploy additional personnel at cash lanes to facilitate the refund in anticipation of queues.—Ted Cordero/AOL, GMA Integrated News