Concessionaires back return of TRB's cashless toll collection

The operators and concessionaires of the country's major toll expressways have backed the reimplementation of cashless or contactless toll collection on all expressways beginning next month.

San Miguel Infrastructure, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), MCX Tollway Inc., Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and its wholly owned subsidiary PEA Tollway Corp. (PEATC) issued a joint statement Saturday expressing support for the Toll Regulatory Board's (TRB) initiative.

"We, the toll concessionaires operating the country's expressways, fully support the government's initiative to reimplement the Cashless/Contactless Toll Collection Policy through Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2024-001 issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Toll TRB,” the toll concessionaires said.

"This policy plays a key role in easing traffic at toll plazas, improving safety and convenience for motorists, and optimizing expressway operations," they added.

MPTC is the holding company for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX), the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), and the NLEX Connector.

SMC Infrastructure through SMC Tollways operates the South Luzon Expressway, the Skyway Stage 3, the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), the NAIA Expressway, and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).

MCX Tollway Inc., meanwhile, operates the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway.

On the other hand, the PRA operates and maintains CAVITEX through its unit Public Estates Authority Tollways Corp. (PEATC), while MPTC unit CIC is the concessionaire of the toll road.

BCDA was the project grantee for the SCTEX, which it then turned over to Manila North Tollways Corp. (now NLEX Corp).

Mandatory RFID

The TRB announced that starting March 15, "all motor vehicles travelling along the toll expressways are mandatorily required to have Valid ETC Device/Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sticker installed on them," according to the agency.

The toll concessionaires said, based on the latest data from the TRB, that 97% of expressway users already use an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) Device/RFID Sticker for toll 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.

"Getting an RFID is simple and hassle-free. Installation is free, with no maintaining balance or minimum load required. Reloading is also easy and accessible through customer service centers, kiosks, banks, e-wallets, and other payment platforms, making it more convenient to manage your account," they said.

The toll concessionaires encouraged motorists to update their contact details, including email and mobile number, to receive account notifications and monthly statements.

"The official RFID mobile apps are also available for quick balance checks, reloading, and toll fee calculations. As toll operators, we are committed to continuously improving our systems to provide safer, faster, and more convenient expressway travel for all," they said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News