Metro Pacific’s NLEX tollroad PHOTO FROM MPIC.COM.PH
MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) has appealed for the public’s patience as glitches continue to hound the mobile application for its Easytrip RFID.
In an interview with INQUIRER.net on Friday, MPTC chief communications officer Romulo Quimbo said they are working to improve the Easytrip app even as he admitted that it encountered problems due to “a tsunami of new RFID customers.”
Easytrip users turn to the app to monitor their RFID activities and load balance. Easytrip is used in MPTC-operated tollways like the management of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered cashless tollways transactions through RFID to halt human-to-human interactions at tollbooths and avert possible coronavirus transmissions.
“We recognize that, but we are improving naman the capability of the servers. We have a tsunami of new RFID customers, and we are very concerned that they are not able to get their information quickly,” Quimbo said in a phone interview.
“But we are doing everything to upgrade the system, we are catching up so, in the meantime, we think there’s some adjustments in our customers, kung pwede i-understand muna the situation. But we are doing everything to upgrade the system, pati ‘yong real time as possible balance checking, very important,” he added.
Easytrip users reported difficulties in accessing the app to check load balance as well as verify registration of their Easytrip account number.
Checking Easytrip accounts is important especially for users who may have encountered discrepancies in toll charges — although Quimbo said earlier that these issues are merely due to system lag and will be corrected.
READ: MPTC: Toll rates error in Easytrip RFID ‘just a default situation,’ autocorrects
For those experiencing problems in checking their account, MPTC suggests contacting the Easytrip hotline (02) 8555-7575 and other methods found on the package of the Easytrip card.
“So the best way is still to check your balance later on in the app. We have some glitches in the app lately but we’re already up and about, or to call kung meron pang balance,” Quimbo said.
“But we advise, don’t react right away if you see the remaining balance at the toll fee in Bocaue, don’t be shocked bakit ang laki ng bawas. Ano lang ‘yon, na-delay lang ‘yong entry information mo,” he added.
For reloading, Quimbo said motorists can opt to reload at the toll plazas although he warned of long lines due to the rush to acquire RFID stickers.
“‘Yong reloading stations natin, there are many reloading options, if the customers can carefully check, may package kasi sa RFID eh […] nando’n naman ‘yong information how to load. But there’s also a downside to the reloading stations […] lahat na itong reloading stations na ito they have their own crediting time period, hindi uniform,” he explained.
“Ang pinakamabilis na reloading talaga, real-time doon talaga sa aming customer service center, but it’s a bit crowded today kasi panic time tayo, pero ’yong atin, ‘yon ‘yong real-time,” he added.
KGA
RELATED STORIES
FAQ: What is an RFID and how does it work on tollways?
DOTr moves start of cashless toll collections to December 1