THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced the mandatory implementation of cashless toll payment in expressways from November 2 to December 1.
This is the agency's answer to the clamor of motorists who have yet to attach radio-frequency identification (RFID) stickers on their vehicles.
This means that the full implementation of the DOTr order, mandating the 100 percent use of electronic payment systems, in expressways will start on December 1.
The deadline will no longer be extended beyond this date, the transportation department said.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade allowed the extension in order to give motorists more time to comply with the department order and to prevent long queues currently being experienced at toll roads, said Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Executive Director Abraham Sales.
"But, mind you, this will be the last time that we will be extending. No more extension beyond December 1,” he added.
The TRB, an attached agency of the DOTr that has supervision over the operations of toll roads, said the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation and the San Miguel Corporation are equipped and ready to implement the DOTr's cashless collection order but have respectively extended the installation of RFID stickers beyond November 2, 2020.
The DOTr earlier issued Department Order 2020-012, which ordered the full implementation of cashless toll collections at the expressways and major toll roads in line with the government’s thrust to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and avoid traffic congestion at toll plazas.
Motorists who fail to conform to the government guidelines will be apprehended and issued a citation ticket.
DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor reminded motorists of the extended deadline to have RFIDs installed in their vehicles.
“Iwasan natin ‘yung kung kailan isang linggo na lang, tsaka tayo magmamadaling magpunta sa installation sites para magpakabit ng RFID. Now, we are extending the deadline to give further consideration. Let us use the extension wisely,” Pastor said.