Toll operators agree to test interoperability of RFID tags

Toll operators have agreed to test the interoperability of their radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, following the government-mandated complete shift to cashless payments earlier this month.

In a statement on Monday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said toll operators SMC TPLEX Corp., Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), and NLEX Corp. inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) last Friday, December 4, 2020, to test the interoperability of their RFID systems over a 14-day period, covering 45 vehicles.

Under the agreement, an AutoSweep RFID sticker will be activated using an Easytrip account, while an Easytrip RFID sticker will be activated using an AutoSweep account. Compliance will be monitored by a steering committee yet to be created.

The Autosweep tags are issued by the San Miguel Group for the Skyway, the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), the STAR Tollway, the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx), the NAIA Expressway (NAIAx), and the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX).

Meanwhile, the Easytrip System covers the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx), the C5 Southlink, and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).

Following the test, the DOTr said participants will submit their test transaction reports and dashcam video recordings to the steering committee for validation and assessment. The committee will then have five days to determine the read rate percentage of the system's performance indicator.

Just last month, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said RFIDs have already been installed on over 3.2 million vehicles, in time for the December 1 deadline.

"We are grateful to our private partners who have demonstrated their unparalleled support in this project. We need their assistance to fast-track the necessary measures to fully implement toll interoperability," Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

"Hindi ‘ho namin ito kakayanin mag-isa. Tulung-tulong ‘ho tayo muli. At dahil sa kinakaharap nating pandemya, kailangan 'ho nating bilisan ang programang ito," he added.

The DOTr said there will be no apprehensions for vehicles without RFID tags until January 11. —KBK, GMA News