With just 17 days to go, NLEX Corporation is ironing out physical and system improvements to ensure its NLEX-SCTEX toll plazas can transact using 100 per cent Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) next month, on the November 2 deadline.
These improvements include the installation of 303 new canopy signages and 66 units of plaza lighting.
Of the 303 signages, the company completed 100 on the first week of October, with the remaining ones to be in place by December.
In addition, they are repainting the pavement markings at the toll plazas.
The lane markings and signs will help direct traffic, while the lights will increase visibility at night.
“As we fully transition to 100 per cent cashless transactions, motorists can expect more improvements," pledged NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista.
The tollway firm will implement an all-RFID toll collection system in all expressways in the country by November 2, 2020 to comply with orders from the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
To provide an updated look on NLEX-SCTEX toll plazas, the operator will also repaint the toll canopies.
The lane status indicators showing the open and closed status of toll lanes are being replaced with circular green and red cross (X) signals.
“More than the aesthetics, these enhancements are necessary to keep our facilities in good condition and guide motorists as they head on to the expressways,” the president added.
Meanwhile, the realignment of RFID sensors is underway in 32 NLEX-SCTEX toll lanes as part of the second phase of the project to enhance read range and enable faster detection.
This system improvement covers the entry and exit lanes in Valenzuela, Marilao, Bocaue, Tambobong, Balagtas, San Fernando, Tarlac, and Tipo.
Last July, the tollway company completed the realignment of sensors in 100 toll lanes.
NLEX is likewise converting this October the Tambobong, Pulilan, Mexico, Karuhatan Interchange, Sta. Rita, San Miguel (Hacienda Luisita), Concepcion, Clark South A&B, and Tipo toll plazas into exclusive RFID
lanes.
Previously, it converted the Dau, Porac, Mabiga, Lawang Bato Northbound Entry, Philippine Arena toll plazas, and expansion lanes in Balintawak and Bocaue toll plazas.
The company augmented Easytrip RFID installation sites to accommodate the rising number of motorists, opening 31 sites to make it easier for motorists to get their free RFID stickers.
NLEX
Balintawak
Balintawak Northbound Lane N10 (24/7)
Balintawak Customer Service Center Parking Area (Mon. to Sun., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Balintawak Weighing Station (Mon. to Sun., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Shell Balintawak (Mon. to Sat., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Mindanao
Mindanao Northbound Lane N02 (Mon. to Sun., 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
Mindanao Customer Service Parking Area (Mon. to Sun., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Valenzuela
Easytrip Tent before Karuhatan Toll Plaza (Mon. to Sat., 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
NLEX Drive and Dine (Mon. to Sat., 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Marilao
Marilao Toll Plaza Southbound Entry Parking Area (Mon. to Sun., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Petron Marilao (Mon. to Sat., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Bocaue
Bocaue Southbound Lane X01 (Mon. to Sun., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Petron Bocaue (Mon. to Sat., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Bocaue Weighing Station (Mon. to Sun., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Philippine Arena Northbound Exit Lane N04 (Mon. to Sun., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Philippine Arena Southbound Entry (Mon. to Sat., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Balagtas
Balagtas Toll Plaza Entry (Mon. to Sat., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Shell Burol (Mon. to Sat., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Easytrip Tent after Balagtas Toll Plaza Exit (Mon. to Sun., 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Guiguinto
Tabang Customer Service Center Parking Area (Mon. to Sat., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Sta. Rita Parking Area before Northbound Entry (Mon. to Sun., 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Pulilan
Pulilan Parking Area after Northbound Exit (Mon. to Sun., 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
San Fernando
San Fernando Customer Service Center (Mon. to Sat., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Mexico
Easytrip Tent after Mexico Toll Plaza Exit (Mon. to Sun., 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Petron Lakeshore (Mon. to Sat., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Angeles
Easytrip Tent before Angeles Toll Plaza Entry (Mon. to Sat., 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Easytrip Tent before Angeles Toll Plaza Exit (Mon. to Sun., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Mabalacat
Easytrip Tent after Dau Northbound Exit (Mon. to Sun., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Easytrip Tent before Mabiga Northbound Exit (Mon. to Sun., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Porac
Easytrip Tent before Porac Toll Plaza Exit (Mon. to Sun., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
La Paz
Easytrip Tent before Tarlac Toll Plaza Entry (Mon. to Sat., 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Tipo
Easytrip Tent after Tipo Toll Plaza (Mon. to Sun., 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
To apply for an Easytrip RFID, motorists may visit the installation sites along NLEX-SCTEX, fill out the subscription form then pay the initial load of P500 for Class 1 vehicles, and P1,000 for Class 2 and 3 vehicles. Motorists are also encouraged to fill out the subscription form online thru www.easytrip.ph.
Once installed, NLEX and SCTEX RFID users would be able to traverse other Metro Pacific Tollways-owned expressways like the CAVITEX and CALAX.
Reloading the RFID is also easy as this can be done onsite and online. Motorists may choose to reload via the Easytrip mobile application which is available for both Android and iOS phones and thru online reloading partners such as PayMaya, Eon, GCash, Bancnet, Mastercard, Visa, UCPB, BPI, Metrobank, BDO, Coins.ph, and Smart Money.
They may also drive to the nearest reloading sites, select gas stations, and bills payment centers in malls. Transactions and remaining balance may be viewed on the Easytrip website or mobile app.