Philippine highways will trial RFID cashless payment again in September

Manila, Aug. 19 (Philippine News Agency): Motorists using highways in Luzon are encouraged to switch to RFID (radio frequency identification) technology as selected toll plazas will begin trial operations for cashless transactions on September 1.

The announcement read: "While cash payment of tolls is still allowed, motorists are encouraged to switch to RFID (radio frequency identification) technology for faster and more convenient entry and exit of toll plazas." At the same time, the Road Toll Regulatory Commission stated that for a period of two The monthly trial run will be implemented in batches.

The Philippine Highway Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) announced that some of the country’s highway systems or toll stations will once again implement cashless payment models to ensure smoother travel. At the same time, they said that starting from September 1, 2023, the authorities will conduct a trial operation of the RFID contactless identification vehicle program at selected qualified toll stations for a period of two months.

In this regard, the authorities strongly encourage drivers who frequently use highways to install Autosweep or Easytrip RFID systems in advance. For vehicles that have RFID electronic tags installed, it is recommended that they check whether their RFID electronic tags need to be replaced before entering the highway and ensure that they have sufficient balance.

The authority said that in preparation for the trial operation, it conducted various special performance audits between February 23, 2023, and June 22, 2023, assessing a total of 717 of the 852 operating toll lanes. The remaining 135 toll lanes, or 16%, are currently operating as cash lanes, the authority said. Among the lanes evaluated, the reading rate of some toll stations and lanes reached as high as 98%.

The first batch of toll roads participating in the trial operation are:

Easytrip users

1. North Luzon Expressway

2. Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway)

3. Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Cavite-Laguna Expressway)

4. Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway C5 South Link (Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway C5 South Link)

Autosweep users

1. NAIA Expressway (Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway)

2. South Metro Manila Skyway Stage 1&2 (South Metro Manila Skyway Stage 1 and 2)

3. Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 (the third phase of the elevated highway in Metro Manila)

4. South Luzon Expressway (South Luzon Expressway Extension)

5. Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway)

6. Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway

According to the agreement between the Expressway Toll Regulatory Commission and toll concessionaires and operators, the first batch of qualified toll stations will first be part of the trial operation to ensure smooth and efficient implementation.

Other eligible toll stations will be gradually included during the trial operation. "The first batch of qualified toll stations to participate in the trial operation will be posted on signage and banners on the expressway, as well as on the websites of the Expressway Toll Regulatory Commission and toll road concessionaires and operators," the report said.

The Road Toll Regulatory Commission said non-participating toll plazas will continue to collect tolls through ETC (electronic toll collection) lanes and cash lanes. Motorists who do not have RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) electronic tags installed will be directed to areas where cash payments can be made when passing participating toll stations.