The NLEX-SCTEX toll plazas reported light traffic in recent weeks, even during the holiday rush, after the operator carried out measures to control congestion.
NLEX Corporation is still enhancing its Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system to enable faster reading, upgrading antennas and account management systems.
It is also repositioning RFID installation sites and relocating cash as well as reloading lanes at the right side of the toll plazas for better traffic flow.
In addition, the tollway company fielded more than 1,000 personnel to assist motoristson reloading procedures for both new and existing RFID subscribers.
Throughout the holidays, the improvements proved to be effective.
NLEX Corp. reiterated there was no reported traffic buildup in all major toll plazas.
This was despite the NLEX-SCTEX average daily traffic reaching 323,000 from December 18, 2020 to January 4, 2021, which was higher by 3,000 versus traffic volume in the first two weeks of December, 2020.
NLEX also noted that even with the additional traffic volume brought by the opening of the Skyway Stage 3, traffic was effectively managed.
Balintawak had no congestion in the on and off ramps of its elevated road.
“We are delighted that even with the recent spike in traffic figures, we have not seen our toll plazas getting jampacked," according to NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista.
"This is all because of the ongoing refinements we are employing to raise our level of service, not to mention that more motorists now prefer to use RFID instead of paying in cash,” he observed.
As of January 10, 2021, the entire Metro Pacific Tollways network, comprised of NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, and CALAX, has installed a total of 2,076,252 RFID stickers.
NLEX Corp. has 53 installations sites in customer service centers, gasoline stations, and after the toll plazas.
Special RFID installation events are also ongoing, and RFID installations sites will be continuously available.
To date, around 85% of motorists are using RFID in the MPTC tollways.