Transport authorities can no longer postpone the contactless toll payment scheme beyond next month, December 1, 2020, although the tollway systems of expressway companies are not yet interoperable.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) issued the statement last night (November 5, 2020).

"Implementation of the cashless program, a long overdue measure, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, should not wait for interoperability of the toll systems," DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade underscored.

Department Order No. (DO) 2020-012, requiring cashless or contacless transaction for all vehicles traveling on toll expressways to prevent COVID-19 transmission, is "a matter of extreme importance", he reiterated.

Interoperability merely provides added convenience to motorists who no longer need to install two Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags.

Any delay in implementing cashless toll payments will only make motorists, as well as the personnel manning the toll plazas, vulnerable to unwanted and unnecessary physical contact, and hence, exposure to the coronavirus.

With the issue of interoperability aside, the extension of the deadline for the implementation of cashless toll collections on toll roads to December 1 will provide motorists using the expressways ample time to have their vehicles equipped with RFID stickers from toll operators.

The original start of the scheme’s implementation should have been on November 2, 2020.

Furthermore, both RFID tags are free of charge and only the load will be paid by motorists. Hence, there is no real or added financial burden for them.

Having both RFIDs is not confusing since the physical appearance of the tags are different.

Also, there is no potential burden or loss for motorists who have existing tags, assuming that interoperability is later implemented.

The loads of existing tags may be transferred to the new RFIDs, or may be allowed to be used during interoperability until the loads are consumed.

As for the issue of limited RFID installation sites, the solution is not to defer the cashless program, but for toll operators to increase the number of installation booths and manpower along strategic places, according to the DOTr.

The shift to a cashless toll collection is actually part of a bigger DOTr project— the Toll Interoperability Project, which it was pushing since 2017.

The Toll Interoperability Project has three phases, of which the implementation of 100% cashless and contactless toll payments form phase one.

The project’s second phase involves the use of 2 RFID wallets, which will make a single RFID sticker readable by sensors at different toll roads. Each wallet will contain the “load” for payments at specific toll plazas.

Phase 3 of the project will involve the use of just one RFID sticker for all toll expressways, and maintain only 1 wallet for toll payments.

Currently, the DOTr, through the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), continues to engage with private toll operators to thresh out issues to realize the interoperability project.

Starting the cashless program now and the interoperability soon thereafter, will make everyone ready, if and when House Bill 6119 becomes a law.

At that time, glitches and issues would have already been identified to allow for smoother transition.

Amidst the pandemic, public health and safety cannot take the back seat in favor of convenience, the DOTr concluded.