TRB apologizes to motorists over RFID mess

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) on Tuesday apologized to affected motorists over the problematic implementation of cashless radio frequency identification (RFID) system in tollways, which led to traffic congestion.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, TRB spokesperson Julius Corpuz said that the agency is already discussing possible temporary interventions and permanent solutions to the problem.

“Kami po ay humihingi ng paumanhin, kukunin ko na yung pagkakataon, sa ating mga motorista na nakakaranas pa rin ng aberya sa paggamit ng RFID,” Corpuz said.

“Hahanapan po at gagawin po natin lahat ng ating makakaya upang maibsan naman po at masolusyunan itong mga aberyang 'yan,” he added.

Corpuz made the statement after Valenzuela City mayor Rex Gatchalian on Monday suspended the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)'s business permit to operate in the city over the issue.

According to Corpuz, the TRB deployed more teams to NLEX to observe and audit the needs of the tollway service in light of the technical difficulty.

Based on their initial findings, Corpuz said that some RFID tags of Easytrip are not working.

“That is one of our initial findings. May mga stickers ang Easytrip na hindi na gumagana,” he said.

Gatchalian, in past interviews, has blamed defective sensors for the problem. Corpuz said if this is the case then there is a need to replace the sensors.

“Kung ang problema ay yung mga sensor o reader, kailangan palitan agad. Kung problema ang sticker,palitan din agad ang sticker. Kung problema ang system, tignan natin kung ano ang madaliang solusyon sa system,” he said.

Despite the RFID mess on NLEX, Corpuz said the implementation of the cashless collection system in tollways will continue. Cash-based payments will  be considered in emergency situations only, he said.

“Patuloy naman po ang pagpapatupad natin ng cashless. Sa ngayon more or less, 90% na po ang ating RFID users sa lahat ng ating expressways. Dapat tugunanan nating 'yung RFID users,” he said.

“Kung kinakailangan at may talagang pangangailangan na tumanggap muna ng cash, 'yan naman po ay pinapayagan for emergency measure para maibsan ang traffic,” he added.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, brother of Mayor Gatchalian, had earlier said TRB Executive Director Abraham Sales should be replaced amid the problematic implementation of the cashless system in tollways. —KBK, GMA News