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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider SMC starts toll refund for ETC disruption

SMC starts toll refund for ETC disruption

Published Nov 23, 2022 02:03 pm

SMC Infrastructure started issuing toll fee refunds Wednesday, Nov. 23, for all motorists affected by an unexpected disruption of its electronic toll collection (ETC) system last week.

The refunds will cover all vehicles that passed through affected tollways, including the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR Tollway, NAIA Expressway, and Skyway from Alabang to Buendia from 6 am to 2 pm on Thursday, Nov. 17.

That morning, traffic had built up along the expressways, prompting the operator to lift toll plaza barriers up to allow vehicles to pass through freely and ease congestion.

SMC Infra issued an apology and committed to waive toll fees for all affected motorists, traced the source of the disruption to damaged fiber optic cables that transmit load data to a database shared with its technology partner.

It has since been determined that the cables sustained damage as a result of a recent major accident that severely damaged a pedestrian footbridge along Dr. A. Santos Avenue in Sucat, Paranaque, which was later demolished.

While the system was restored at around 9 am, SMC Infra decided to extend the free use of its expressways to a total eight hours, or until 2pm, to ensure a smoother traffic flow.

To effect the refund, SMC Infra will electronically credit the Autosweep accounts of vehicles with RFID tags starting Wednesday, Nov. 23, up to Dec. 22, Thursday.

Meanwhile, motorists who paid in cash will be given a one-time free pass, which they can use at any exit of SLEX, STAR, NAIAx, or Skyway Stages 1 and 2.

Motorists can avail their free pass at any cash/mixed-lane exits along the toll roads by surrendering their valid official receipt issued on Nov. 17 from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Tellers will validate the receipts, which will serve as proof that the motorist is entitled to the one-time pass.

To ensure smooth traffic, the company said it would deploy additional personnel at cash lanes to facilitate the refund in anticipation of queues.

Related Tags

SMC Infrastructure SMC ISSUES TOLL FEE REFUNDS NOV 2022
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