THE Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) said it planned to revive the cash lanes in its toll plazas while the RFID system used to collect fees is being fixed.
MPTC chief communications officer Romulo Quimbo said this is their temporary solution to the traffic problem caused by glitches in the RFID (radio frequency identification) system.
Under MPTC are the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Cavite Expressway (Cavitex), Cavite Laguna Expressway (Calaex), Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) and the NLEX Connector.
"Maglalagay na po tayo ng mga cash lane. Ibabalik natin ang cash lane... magtatalaga na tayo ng cash lanes, halimbawa sa Balintawak toll plaza ‘yun pong malalaki maglalagay ulit tayo ng cash lane doon,” Quimbo said in a television interview on Friday, December 11, 2020.
“Napagalaman namin kahapon na ito rin ang gusto ng Office of the President at MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. May isang option na sabay na RFID at cash (so) ibabalik natin ang konsepto na ‘yun,” he added.
Quimbo made the statement after the League of Municipalities of Bulacan released a manifesto urging the government to resume cash transactions in tollways to reduce traffic jams.
As a result of the traffic congestion, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian has suspended the business permit of NLEX Corporation, preventing the company from collecting toll at its toll gates in Valenzuela.
Over 30 toll plazas in NLEX 5 are in Valenzuela, Quezon City, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas in Metro Manila as well as in Meycauayan, Malolos, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas Guiguinto, Plaridel, Pulilan and Calumpit in Bulacan, and San Fernando, Angeles, Mabalacat, San Simon, Santo Tomas and Mexico in Pampanga.
League president Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio Cruz said they will meet with NLEX officials about the matter.
“Nagkakaroon kasi ng comparison sa ibang bansa, lalo na sa South Expressway na ‘di ganun naman ang problema. Minsan umaabot ng apat hanggang limang kilometro (ang traffic),” he said in a radio interview.
“Ano ba 'yung intervention na ginagawa nila to correct the situation. Sa amin ‘yung Balintawak-Tabang. Tapos na po ang franchise nito. There was a time itinurnover na po sa amin ito at wala na pong bayad pero dahil doon sa maintenance, hindi ko alam bakit na extend ‘yung franchise at yung din ag ginagawa namin ng pag-aaral kung yun bang sinisingil sa aming ngayon ay tama,” he added.
On Thursday, Senate committee on public services chairperson, Senator Grace Poe filed a resolution calling for the suspension of the 100 percent cashless transactions in toll plazas, a measure implemented by the Department of Transportation to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
The committee said it will summon DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade to explain the situation in the tollways. (SunStar Philippines)