Over 90 percent of transactions in the country’s toll roads are now via radio frequency identification (RFID) stickers, after transport authorities enforced cashless transactions since the month began, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) reported.
Based on the AutoSweep and Easytrip daily reports, as of December 8 2020, more than 3.7 million RFID stickers have been installed, compared to 1.4 million when the program started, announced TRB Executive Director (ED) Engr. Abraham Sales.
The improvement in penetration rate since December 1, 2020 showed that the majority of motorists are now using cashless transactions in passing through tollways.
“The 80-90% of cashlessvtransactions means almost 100% of motorists passing through the tollways are now using RFID,” he confirmed.
The TRB chief also noted that the number of motorists queuing daily for RFID installation is decreasing, from over 34,000 on December 1 to less than 28,000 on December 8, 2020.
"The latest report given to us was 27,906 installations December 8, which implies most expressway users already have RFIDs," Sales reiterated.
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade has given directives to ensure that the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) operator resolve the issues that caused congestion in its toll roads.
One measure to address congestion was to remove the “emergency” signages, and convert these toll plaza lanes to either “Cash” or “RFID” lanes.
Ambulances, law enforcement vehicles, and other emergency response vehicles will be allowed to pass through any lane.
In addition, the barriers at the toll plazas should be removed during peak hours to allow fast entry and movement of vehicles.
Further study on the removal of barriers was also recommended.
RFID and Cash lanes should likewise be positioned in clusters to avoid confusion.
To reduce queuing, RFID installation sites at toll plazas should be removed.
Stickering and reloading will be relocated in gasoline stations, malls, groceries, and other places frequented by motorists. For small tollgates with 2 to 3 lanes, RFID stickering lanes will be removed, and a cash lane maintained.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) instructed toll operator, NLEX Corp., to consider increasing RFID sensor wattage from only 3 to 10 watts, within 15 days from December 9, 2020.
Further, the Karuhatan toll plaza configuration in Valenzuela (for NLEX) should be re-assessed, and a recommendation be submitted as soon as possible.