Metro Pacific Tollways to install RFIDs beyond November 2 —exec

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. said Saturday motorists will be given more time to install RFID stickers, even beyond the government’s deadline for toll roads operators to implement a 100% cashless payment scheme.

In a statement, MPTC said motorists who don’t have RFIDs by November 2 will still be allowed passage through North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx), C5 Link, and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAx).

But motorists who haven’t installed RFID stickers will be directed to the RFID installation lanes where they can have their stickers installed.

Likewise, the MPTC said the corresponding toll fee charge for their passage on that particular day will be deducted from the initial load that they paid in getting the RFID stickers.

“We will convert some of the remaining cash lanes in all toll plazas of MPTC expressways to RFID installation lanes. At the same time, the off-site customer service stations will continue to operate and install RFID stickers,” MPTC chief of Technology and MPT South president and general manager Roberto Bontia said, adding that, “the stickers will remain to be free except for the initial load.”

Thus, motorists can still have the RFID stickers installed on their vehicles even beyond November 2, 2020 —the first day of implementation of 100% RFID in all expressways following the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Department Order 2020-012 which aims to help curb the spread of Covid-19 and ease passage.

For his part, NLEX Corp. president J. Luigi Bautista said MPTC will open RFID installation lanes in all entry toll plazas to serve motorists who have not gotten their Easytrip RFID yet even after November 2.

Aside from these drive-thru installation lanes, other RFID installation and reloading sites in various locations will remain open.

At NLEX-SCTEX, there will also be drive-thru reloading lanes in Balintawak, Mindanao, Bocaue, Angeles, and Tipo.

“There’s no need for those who will not travel on November 2 or infrequent expressway travelers to be in a rush to get the RFID stickers since they can have the RFID installed on the day of their travel. This is to avoid overcrowding and long queues at the installation sites,” Bautista said.

“MPTC is aware that this is also a transition period for the motorists who have paid cash for the longest time. “In anticipation, we will have our RFID Assist Squads positioned at the toll plaza as it has always been our priority to help any motorist who would like to use our expressways at any time,” Bautista said.

The tollway company also reminded the public to avail of their Easytrip RFID stickers at authorized customer service stations, the location may be found in NLEX-SCTEX, CAVITEX-C5 Link and CALAX social media pages.

MPTC is the holding company of NLEx, SCTEx, CAVITEx, C5 Link and CALAx. —LBG, GMA News