The Department of Transportation, through its Toll Regulatory Board, will work alongside Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation and San Miguel Corporation Infrastructure to implement a cashless toll system in the Philippines and eliminate the traditional toll system altogether by the end of 2024.
RFID In Philippine Expressways
RFID, or radio frequency identification, is a technology that utilizes radio waves to recognize RFID-equipped objects and individuals wirelessly. There are two main components of RFID, which are the tags or transponders and a reader that wireless tolls in select expressways in the Philippines will be equipped on September 1. Tollways that will participate in this dry run are the expressways under the concession of SMC Inc. and MPIC. Below is a list of tollways that will participate in this cashless dry run.
San Miguel Corporation Inc. Expressways:
- South Luzon Expressway (SLEx)
- Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR)
- Skyway at-grade and Skyways 1, 2, 3
- NAIA Expressway
- Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx)
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation Expressways:
- North Luzon Expressway
- Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway
- NLEX Connector Road
- Manila-Cavite Expressway
- Cavite-Laguna Expressway
- Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway in Cebu
According to SMC Inc., the transition to a cashless system will enhance the travel experience of Filipino motorists.
“We believe this move will significantly reduce traffic congestion and waiting times at toll plazas and contribute to a smoother and safer travel experience,” SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang stated in an article published by The Manila Times.
For business owners, especially those in the construction industry, RFID can help enhance logistics operations. The elimination of manual payment in expressways may seem like a trivial change, but removing this repetitive task from the driver’s daily process is expected to make their work more efficient. Apart from cashless tollways, the expressways will also be barrier-less, resulting in a seamless driving experience.
“We will go cashless, multi-lane and barrier-less and there will be no toll booths. That’s how it is abroad,” MPTC president Rogelio Singson said in a press briefing.
How Is RFID Going To Affect Construction Business Owners?
The transition to cashless and barrier-less expressways has big implications for construction business owners. The simplified payment system will benefit the logistics process of the business the most. Drivers won’t have to manually pay to get through the toll barriers, which makes the transactions faster and easier. With added efficiency, drivers will also experience reduced driving time that usually comes with the traffic jams that traditional toll stops cause.
The trial period for this transition will last for 2 months, starting on September 1. Currently, more and more expressway toll stops are participating in the cashless payment dry run. Cash options are still available, although MPTC and SMC Inc. plans to increase the number of participating tolls in the next few months.
How To Avail An RFID
RFID sticker-equipped vehicles will pay cashless at expressway toll stops. Two RFID providers in the Philippines are Autosweep by SMC Inc. and Easytrip by MPTC. RFID sticker installations are free, and they can availed at the designated installation areas in the expressway or other areas indicated by the RFID provider of your choice.
According to the Toll Regulatory Board, Easytrip RFID can only be used at NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, and CALAX, while Autosweep RFID can be used at Skyway, SLEX, NAIAX, STAR Tollway, MCX, and TPLEX.
Check out the TBR website to download the RFID subscription form: https://trb.gov.ph/index.php/faqs/rfid-installation-sites
References
- Easytrip RFID. (n.d.). How to Obtain an Easytrip RFID Sticker for Your Vehicle. Easytrip RFID. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://www.easytrip.ph/about-us/how-to-obtain-an-easytrip-rfid-sticker-for-your-vehicle/
- The Manila Times. (2023, August 25). SMC Tollways to go cashless effective Sept 1. The Manila Times. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/08/26/public-square/smc-tollways-to-go-cashless-effective-sept-1/1907003
- Metro Pacific Investments Corporation. (2023, August 14). MPTC, SMC officially inks deal to build CBEX and NBEX. Metro Pacific Investments Corporation. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://www.mpic.com.ph/mptc-smc-officially-inks-deal-to-build-cbex-and-nbex/
- Philippine Star. (2023, August 16). Cashless tollway system begins this September | Philstar.com. Philippine Star. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/16/2288982/cashless-tollway-system-begins-september
- The Poor Traveler. (2020, November 22). How to Apply for RFID STICKER for SLEX, NLEX, CAVITEX, etc. (EasyTrip & Autosweep). The Poor Traveler. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://www.thepoortraveler.net/rfid-nlex-slex-sctex-cavitex-expressway/
