ANSWERING the clamor of motorists, who have yet to attach RFID stickers on their vehicles, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has decided to push the start of the mandatory implementation of cashless toll collections on toll roads from November 2 to December 1.
With the extension, this means that the full implementation of the department order mandating only the cashless mode of payment, or the 100% use of electronic payment systems, in expressways will start on December 1. The deadline will no longer be extended beyond this date.
“Secretary Tugade allowed the extension in order to give motorists, especially infrequent toll road users, more time to comply with the department order, and to prevent the long queues currently being experienced at toll roads in the rush to get the RFID stickers. But, mind you, this will be the last time that we will be extending. No more extension beyond December 1,” said Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Executive Director Abraham Sales.
Earlier, the TRB, an attached agency of the DOTr which has supervision over the operations of toll roads, said the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) are equipped and ready to implement the Order but have respectively extended the installation of RFID stickers beyond 2 November 2020.
To recall, the DOTr earlier issued Department Order 2020-012 which ordered the full implementation of cashless toll collections at the expressways and major toll roads, in line with the government’s thrust to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and to avoid traffic congestion in toll plazas.
Motorists who fail to conform to the government mandate will be apprehended and issued a citation ticket.
Meanwhile, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor reminded motorists to make use of the extended deadline to have RFIDs installed in their vehicles as early as they can.
“Iwasan natin ‘yung kung kailan isang linggo na lang, tsaka tayo magmamadaling magpunta sa installation sites para magpakabit ng RFID. Now, we are extending the deadline to give further consideration. Let us use the extension wisely,” Asec. Pastor said.
