Cashless toll collection at CAVITEX to begin on September 14
Heads up, motorists! The Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX) will no longer have cash lanes starting September 14.
The PEA Tollway Corp., the operator of the expressway, announced that the Parañaque and Kawit toll plazas will be part of the dry run for the cashless system.
Those going through these gates must use their radio frequency identification device or RFID to pay for their toll.
If a motorist does not have one on their vehicle, they will be directed to the side or a safe location where they can pay in cash and will be "persuaded" to have an RFID sticker installed.
Motorists using CAVITEX can get an RFID installed in stations along the expressway and CAVITEX-C5 Link. They can reload the sticker through the MPT DriveHub app, e-wallets and online payment platforms, online banks, malls, convenience store kiosks, payment booths, and loading stations.
In case you missed it, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) signed a joint memorandum circular with the Land Transportation and Department of Transportation that will impose fines on motorists using tollways without an electronic toll collection (ETC) device starting Aug. 31.
This order, however, has been postponed to October 1 to give time to inform travelers of the provisions of the circular properly.
According to this, motorists with no RFIDs will be fined P1,000 for the initial offense, P2,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 for subsequent offenses.
Meanwhile, those exiting a toll gate with insufficient load balance for the required fee also face a P500 penalty for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense, and P2,500 for the next offense.
This move was done to help lessen traffic around the toll plazas.