NLEx, SCTEx, CAVITEx, CALAx ready to shift to full RFID

The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), the operator of several major tollroads in the country, said Wednesday it is prepared to fully shift its system to go cashless, in compliance with the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) order for toll operators to transition to electronic collection.

“Our group-wide RFID (radio frequency identification) rollout is on track to comply with D.O. 2020-012 and we will be ready to implement contactless toll payments consistent with the timeline,” Rodrigo Franco, MPTC president and CEO, said in a statement.

"Our expressway network that includes the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx), and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAx) is primed for cashless and contactless transactions within the year," Franco said.

The DOTr issued Department Order No. 2020-012 on August 13, which ordered the Toll Regulatory Board to ensure that all toll concessionaires and operators will shift to 100% electronic collection not later than November 2 “to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 and subsequently as a means to ensure a more efficient flow of traffic.”

With this, Franco said that “the MPTC tollway group will now accelerate all preparations to fully implement all-RFID (radio frequency identification) transactions in our toll plazas”.

For his part, Roberto Bontia, who concurrently heads CAVITEx and CALAx and MPTC’s RFID 100 Task Force, cited the company’s preparations such as infrastructure readiness, operational and visibility improvements, motorist assistance, and manpower re-equipping and retooling.

Bontia said MPTC tollways are technically ready to shift from manual toll collection to full RFID-enabled system.

“Moreover, MPTC assures that any RFID sticker installed by its provider Easytrip Corporation, will be compatible throughout the MPTC network of expressways hence, a better customer experience overall,” he said.

Preparations are also highlighted by operational and visibility improvements, chiefly with improved RFID signages to help direct motorists during the transition, he added.

Likewise, the RFID stickers are available to motorists online and in 24/7 onsite installation sites, to ensure that they are expressway-ready.

“Getting the free RFID sticker online thru Shopee, and installing it yourself, is the truly contactless and cashless way,” Bontia said.

There are also arrangements for specialized groups such as trucking groups, public utility vehicles, homeowners’ associations and local government-based commuters, he said.—LDF, GMA News