Tollways to go fully cashless on March 15
Cashless toll collection will be reinstated on March 15, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) announced.
This comes after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) lifted its previous order to lift the requirement of cashless or contactless transactions for vehicles traveling on toll expressways after months of dry-runs.
Starting March 15, all motor vehicles traveling along tollways are required to have a radio frequency identification (RFID) or valid ETC Device.
Those without an RFID will still be allowed to enter the toll plaza, but they must get the sticker for cash-free collection installed.
Motorists must also have enough account balance on their RFID when using expressways.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO), will issue a temporary operator's permit or a show cause order for violating the "No Valid ETC Device, No Entry" policy. They will also be meted with penalties under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-001 between the DOTr and TRB.
According to the TRB, cash toll lanes are "usually congested" and "often hamper the fast and efficient flow of traffic" leading to ETC designated lanes.
"It is expected that a better and more efficient flow of traffic will result once these lanes are strictly used for ETC only," it said in a statement.
The TRB and DOTr are also encouraging those without RFID yet to have a sticker installed to avoid penalties. Motorists can get a sticker for free.
In 2020, the DOTr first issued D.O. 2020-012 requiring cashless or contactless transactions for all vehicles on toll expressways. This was postponed a few times to allow tollway operators and concerned agencies to smoothen their operations and launch a public information campaign.
Data from the TRB said that 97% of expressway users already use an ETC device or RFID stickers.
