Installation of RFID stickers extended beyond Nov 2

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  • San Miguel Corp. has extended to Nov 30 free installation of its Autosweep RFID stickers
  • Vehicles without RFID stickers allowed to enter toll plaza but will be led to a nearby area to be equipped with an RFID sticker
Skyway photo from San Miguel Corp.

Since many motorists have yet to secure radio frequency identification (RFID) stickers, they have been given an extension period to get the stickers installed on their vehicles beyond November 2, 2020.

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said all Luzon expressways are ready to implement the cashless toll collection on all toll roads on November 2, but toll operators will continue to install the RFID stickers on vehicles even after the scheduled enforcement date.

“To avoid overcrowding at toll plazas and accommodate infrequent toll road users, the operators have extended the RFID installation,” TRB executive director Abraham Sales said in a statement.

Vehicles without RFID stickers will be allowed to enter the toll plaza but will be led to a nearby area to be equipped with an RFID sticker before proceeding on the expressway.

Cashless toll collection is being implemented pursuant to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Department Order 2020-012, which was issued by the government to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and facilitate passage on expressways.

READ: DOTr requires contactless, cashless toll payments by Nov 2

Under the order, the TRB, an attached agency of the DOTr, should ensure toll operators install electronic tags or other cashless systems for all motorists and motor vehicles using the expressways, and to transact only through a cashless mode of payment.

Toll operator Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), in a separate statement, said it is aware motorists who have been paying cash for the longest time will also need a transition period.

READ: NLEX-SCTEX toll plazas gear up for 100% RFID transactions on Nov 2

Thus, MPTC said motorists without Easytrip RFID stickers by November 2 will be allowed passage on its operated expressways, but directed to the RFID installation lanes to have their RFID stickers installed.

The corresponding toll fee charge for their passage on that particular day will then be deducted from the initial load the motorists paid in getting the RFID stickers.

MPTC operates the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), C5 Link, and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).

“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 V. Bontia said.

“The stickers will remain to be free except for the initial load,” he added.

MPTC said it will open RFID installation lanes at all entry toll plazas for motorists who still have no Easytrip RFID sticker after November 2.

Aside from drive-through installation lanes, other RFID installation and reloading sites in various locations will remain open. At NLEX-SCTEX, there will be drive-through reloading lanes in Balintawak, Mindanao, Bocaue, Angeles, and Tipo. RFID assist squads will also be positioned at the toll plaza to help motorists. At CALAX, tents will be installed along lanes to augment the number of booths.

The tollway company also reminds the public to avail of their Easytrip RFID stickers at authorized customer service stations, locations of which can be found on the NLEX-SCTEX, CAVITEX-C5 Link and CALAX social media pages.

On the other hand, toll operator San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has extended the free installation of its Autosweep RFID stickers until November 30, noting many motorists have yet to secure their RFID stickers even as the date of implementation draws nears.

SMC toll units operate the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Skyway System, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Expressway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX),

In a separate statement, SMC said a surge in the number of motorists rushing to convert to the Autosweep RFID system has caused long queues at the installation stations, particularly over the past two weeks.

“By November 2, all lanes at our toll plazas will be fully capable and converted to electronic toll collection, in full compliance with the government’s mandate. However, after careful study and deliberation, and especially in consideration of so many motorists who have not been able to secure an Autosweep RFID account because of the volume of applications we have today, we have decided to extend the deadline to November 30,” SMC said.

“This means that from Nov. 2 to 30, vehicles without RFID will still be allowed to enter the expressways. Hopefully, this will give more time for motorists to get their RFID stickers,” SMC added.

SMC emphasized that November 30 will be the absolute deadline. After this, vehicles without RFID stickers will no longer be allowed to enter SMC-operated tollways including Skyway, SLEX, NAIAX, STAR Tollways and TPLEX.

For motorists’ convenience, SMC has set up installation and reloading lanes at toll plaza entry points, in addition to those already set up in strategic locations in Metro Manila and Luzon provinces.