A FORMER spokesman for the Department of Transportation called on the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to prioritize the modernization of toll collection systems before imposing penalties on motorists for not having radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.
“Before we even think of penalizing motorists, the TRB must first focus on improving and modernizing the toll collection systems. The persistent congestion on our toll roads, especially in Metro Manila, is largely due to defective RFID readers and the lack of a uniform payment system across various toll-way concessionaires,” Nick Conti, convener of Click Party-list and CEO of Capstone-Intel Corp., said.
Conti pointed out that the RFID technology used in the Philippines is outdated and unreliable.
“It’s time for the TRB to adopt state-of-the-art toll collection technology similar to those used in countries like Singapore, Germany, and the United States, where toll systems are seamless and efficient,” he added.
Conti cited examples from around the world, such as Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system, which uses overhead gantries equipped with sensors to detect vehicles and automatically deduct tolls, and Germany’s Toll Collect system, which uses GPS and mobile communication technology to calculate and collect tolls based on distance traveled.
He also highlighted the electronic toll collection systems in the United States, like E-ZPass, which allows for quick and seamless toll payments through RFID technology.
“Modernizing our toll collection systems will not only improve efficiency and convenience for motorists but also ensure accurate and transparent toll collection, which is crucial for revenue generation and road maintenance,” Conti said.
He also emphasized the need for a standardized toll collection system across all toll roads to avoid compatibility issues.
Conti further said, “The modernization of our toll collection systems is not just about convenience; it’s about improving traffic mobility, reducing congestion, and enhancing the overall road user experience.”
Motorists passing through expressways without RFID devices, as well as those with insufficient load balance, will be meted with penalties.
According to Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2024-001, signed by the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the TRB on Aug. 1, 2024, and will take effect on Aug. 31, 2024, motorists entering toll roads without a valid RFID or electronic toll collection (ETC) device, including dilapidated ones, shall be penalized as “No Valid ETC Device” with the following fines: First offense – P1,000; second offense – P2,000; and subsequent offenses – P5,000 per offense.
Those exiting an expressway with insufficient balance, meanwhile, shall be penalized as “Insufficient Load” with the following penalties: First offense – P500; second offense – P1,000; and subsequent offenses – P2,500 per offense.
Meanwhile, the use of a fraudulent, tampered, or fake RFID device and e-card upon entry and exit on toll expressway shall be penalized as “Fraudulent or Falsified ETC” with a penalty of: First offense – P1,000; second offense – P2,000; and subsequent offenses – P5,000 per offense.
The agency that issued advisories on the JMC should discuss the details of the other provisions, such as the responsibilities of the toll expressway concessionaires/operators, RFID service providers, toll expressway users, LTO, and TRB, as well as its salient provisions.
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