Easytrip tags to be replaced by RFID stickers

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Easytrip phase out notice from NLEX Corp.
Easytrip phase out notice from NLEX Corp.

The battery-powered Easytrip tags in use since 2005 on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) will be phased out by September 30, to be replaced by the radio frequency identification or RFID platform, NLEX Corp announced.

The tollroad operator said this is part of the company’s transition to a cashless payment system.

NLEX Corp. will install free of charge the small, paper-thin and easy-to-attach RFID stickers, which will be mounted on a vehicle’s windshield or headlight. The RFID sticker with microchip will replace the Easytrip tag, which will no longer be usable after the phase-out.

NLEX Corp. assures current Easytrip tag users any remaining account balance will be carried over to the new RFID system.

Once the RFID stickers are installed, all NLEX and SCTEX RFID users will be able to traverse other Metro Pacific Tollways-owned expressways like Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) and vice-versa.

The uniform use of RFID stickers eliminates the need for cash to change hands when paying. It is also part of the implementation of the toll collection interoperability project launched in 2017 with the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Department of Transportation, Toll Regulatory Board, Department of Public Works and Highways, Land Transportation Office, and toll road companies operating 13 expressways in Luzon.

READ: Seamless expressway travel eyed with toll collection interoperability

Under the agreement, toll road operators will tweak their toll collection systems to make them interoperable and integrated. For motorists using electronic tags, this means they can soon seamlessly use their electronic tag from one toll road operator to another as they traverse different toll roads.

Relatedly, last May 14, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board issued Memorandum Circular 2020-020 mandating that all public utility vehicles plying the expressways install RFID to promote social distancing and reduce risk of exposure to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by adopting cashless transactions.

NLEX Corp. and Easytrip Services Corp are ensuring easy and hassle-free migration of current Easytrip tag users to RFID via 24/7 sticker installation sites.

24/7 installation sites for RFID stickers are already open at the NLEX Bocaue toll plaza (southbound) Expansion Lane X01 and Balintawak toll plaza (northbound Customer Service Center Parking Area.

Onsite RFID sticker installation is also available Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Balintawak toll plaza Lane N08, Mindanao Ave. (northbound) entry, Karuhatan (westbound) entry, Balagtas Easytrip Tent, Angeles Easytrip Tent, as well as in the rest and refuelling areas: NLEX Drive and Dine Valenzuela, Petron Marilao, Petron Bocaue, Shell Burol, and Petron Lakeshore.

Easytrip transponder customers may also have their free RFID stickers installed at Tabang and San Fernando Customer Service Centers from Monday to Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., as well as at Clark South and Tarlac installation sites from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., respectively.

Meanwhile, RFID sticker installation sites at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan operate from Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

RFID stickers are also available online via Shopee. Customers may also opt to install the stickers themselves through the Stick-It-Yourself RFID.

The Stick-It-Yourself RFID can be obtained from select NLEX-SCTEX toll booths in Mindanao, Valenzuela southbound, Meycauayan southbound, Marilao southbound, Bocaue Barrier, Bocaue Interchange southbound, Balagtas, Tabang, San Fernando northbound, Sta. Ines, Concepcion, Dinalupihan, and Tarlac. This RFID can also be acquired at NLEX Customer Service Centers in Balintawak and Valenzuela, from Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Tabang and San Fernando from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Easytrip transponder users have to authorize the transfer of their account balance to the RFID account by filling out the load balance transfer form at the installation sites or by downloading the form from www.easytrip.ph and sending it to balancetransfer@easytrip.ph.

For RFID reloading, motorists may choose to reload via the Easytrip mobile application or online reloading partners such as PayMaya, Eon, GCash, Bancnet, Mastercard, Visa, UCPB, BPI, Metrobank, BDO, Coins.ph, and Smart Money.