Major toll expressways will reinstate cashless/contactless toll collection starting March 15, 2025, according to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).
It said toll road users are required to have valid electronic toll collection (ETC) device or radio frequency identification (RFID) sticker installed on their vehicles.
The TRB said the implementation of cashless/contactless toll payments would optimize the use of all toll plazas through the ETC system.
Motor vehicles without valid ETC Device/RFID sticker would be allowed to enter the toll lane/plaza only to be installed with an ETC device/RFID sticker.
The TRB said motor vehicles without valid RFIDs would be issued a temporary operator’s permit or a show cause order for violating the “no valid ETC device, no entry” policy.
“The Land Transportation Office, through its deputized personnel, will issue the show cause order and impose the corresponding penalties, the TRB said.
It noted that “dedicated toll lanes used by cash paying motorists are usually congested with long lines of motor vehicles, and the same often hamper the fast and efficient flow of traffic leading to the ETC designated lanes.”
“It is expected that a better and more efficient flow of traffic will result once these lanes are strictly used for ETC only,” it said.
The TRB encouraged motorists to have their vehicles installed with RFIDs as installation and loading stations are available inside and outside the expressways.
San Miguel Corp. said its fully supports the government’s initiative to reimplement the cashless/contactless toll collection policy through Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2024-001 issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).
“This policy plays a key role in easing traffic at toll plazas, improving safety and convenience for motorists, and optimizing expressway operations,” SMC said.
Based on the latest data from the TRB, 97 percent of expressway users already use an ETC device or RFID sticker for toll payments.
“With the reimplementation of the cashless/contactless toll collection policy, we encourage the remaining 3 percent of motorists who still pay in cash to switch to RFID for a faster, more efficient, and seamless toll experience,” SMC said.
“As toll operators, we are committed to continuously improving our systems to provide safer, faster, and more convenient expressway travel for all,” it said.
