DOTr to require cashless, contactless payment in toll expressways

The Department of Transportation will be implementing a cashless, contactless transaction in toll expressways. The initiative aims to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 by limiting human interaction and removing the traffic queuing and congestion at toll plazas.

Under Department Order 2020-012 signed by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, concerned agencies under DOTr should formulate new processes and procedures within three months to ensure the smooth implementation of the new policy.

Among the included agencies are the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for implementing rules and regulations for the transition to electronic toll collection system of toll expressways concessionaires and operators, Land Transportation Office (LTO) for exploring ways and means of a full cashless and contactless system along expressways, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for monitoring the compliance of all Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) on the installation of electronic tags or other cashless systems in units.

“We carry with us the burden of ensuring that our transport facilities will not be a transmission vector of the disease, while at the same time, providing an efficient system of public transport. With both tasks at hand, there is a need to strike a balance. Requiring contactless transactions is one of our ways of doing it. And in achieving the balance, naiintindihan natin na hindi laging magiging madali sa umpisa. If there will be initial inconveniences, let us look forward to the long-term benefit of it,” Secretary Tugade shared on the department’s Facebook post.

The following expressways will be implementing contactless payments:
• 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).

It also includes all other road networks and any extension of the existing expressways that may be constructed, established, or operated as expressway toll facilities.

Source: DOTr