Motorists brace themselves for long lines for RFID installation

A week after tollways implemented the cashless RFID payment system, motorists were seen lining up at RFID sticker installation centers before dawn on Monday, bracing themselves for what could be a long wait.

C5 Road

On C5 Road, the line of motorists was less than a kilometer as of 6 a.m. for an Easytrip RFID sticker, according to a report by Corinne Catibayan on GMA News' Unang Balita.

However this was expected to get longer as the day goes on.

Motorist Ben Pagdonsolan lined up for four hours last week at this location to have an Easytrip RFID sticker installed on his car.

He went back on Monday before dawn to get an RFID sticker for another family vehicle.

Pagdonsolan said the process of installing the sticker takes only two minutes, but the wait could take hours.

At this installation center on C5 Road, walk-in applicants are welcome. It is also open 24 hours.

The Easytrip RFID can be use on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Cavitex, C5 Link Flyover. It can also be used soon on Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).

NLEX

Meanwhile, at the NLEX Mindanao Avenue Toll Plaza, two emergency lanes have been designated for Class 1 vehicles for on-the-spot Easytrip RFID installation, according to a report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita.

Emergency lanes for Class 1 vehicles for RFID sticker installation were also set up at NLEX Balintawak Toll Plaza.

Motorists just have to pay P500 for the initial load.

At around 6 a.m., the line of vehicles for RFID installation was not that long yet at NLEX Mindanao Avenue Toll Plaza, but this is expected to lengthen later in the day especially during peak hours.

Motorists may also set an online appointment for RFID sticker installation at the NLEX Customer Center Tent which is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For Class 2 vehicles, an emergency lane was also set up a few meters after the NLEX Mindanao Avenue Toll Plaza for RFID sticker installation.

NAIAX

Meanwhile, at the Skyway NAIA Expressway (NAIAX), motorists started lining up at midnight for Autosweep RFID installation, according to a report by Glen Juego on Dobol B sa News TV.

The Autosweep RFID card can be used on South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX), Skyway, Muntinlupa–Cavite Expressway (MCX), Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway) and NAIAX.

The line of vehicles was already long even before sunrise on Monday.

Many of the applicants are walk-in and chose this location since it is open 24/7.

Only 10 vehicles per batch are allowed at the tollway for RFID installation while the rest have to wait at the designated lane.

The traffic going toward the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is not affected by the line of vehicles for RFID sticker installation.

Tollways started implementing the cashless RFID payment system on December 1 in accordance with an order from the Department of Transportation.

The move was made to lessen contact and possible COVID-19 transmission.

Motorists were given up to January 11, 2021 to have RFID cards installed on their vehicles.

Fines will be imposed after that date. —KG, GMA News