The country's tollways will be cashless for motorists no later than Nov. 2, the Department of Transportation said Thursday, as the COVID-19 pandemic shifts government transactions to digital.
Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade recently ordered the Toll Regulatory Board, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and Land Transportation Office-Philippines, to ensure a seamless transition to cashless expressways.
Cashless transactions will be implemented in the following identified limited access facilities:
- South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)
- Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX);
- North Luzon Expressway (NLEX);
- South Metro Manila Skyway;
- Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway;
- Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX);
- Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX);
- and all other road networks, including any extension of the existing expressway facilities mentioned, that may be constructed, established and/or operated as expressway toll facilities
The TRB will release rules on electronic toll collection lanes. According to the order, the board also covers the installation of electronic tags or other cashless systems like RFID and Automated Fare Collection System for vehicles. The LTO is tasked to find ways to implement a full contactless system along expressways, while the LTFRB will see if public utility vehicle drivers are complying with regulations on electronic tags and other cashless systems.