Palace: Cashless, contactless expressway toll collection by November 2

MANILA, Philippines — The government will soon require cashless and contactless toll transactions in expressways to protect the public from the infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Malacañang announced Thursday.

According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, tolloperators and users will be asked to transition to an electronic toll transaction system “no later than November 2, 2020.”

“Ang contactless transactions ay ipatutupad sa South Luzon Expressways (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), and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) at iba pang road networks,” Roque said in a televised Palace press briefing.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier signed an order directing concerned agencies, namely the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Land Transportation Office (LTO), to formulate new processes and procedures to ensure the smooth implementation of cashless transactions on toll expressways.

The TRB is directed to promulgate rules and regulations that will require concessionaires and operators to transition to a 100% electronic toll collection lanes.

The order also asks the TRB to ensure concessionaires and operators install electronic tags or other cashless systems, such as but not limited to, RFID, Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS), etc. for all motorists and motor vehicles using the toll expressways and transact only thru the cashless mode of payment of toll not later than 02 November 2020.

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