Explainer: What to know about RFID for tollways

RFID composite image from Inquirer file photos

MANILA, Philippines—With just over two months before penalties take effect for motorists entering toll highways without working radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in January 2025, here’s everything you need to know about RFID tags and how to get one.

Last month, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced another postponement of penalties for motorists without electronic toll collection (ETC) devices or those with insufficient RFID balances, with the new implementation date now set for January next year.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista explained that the department is still ‘collating inputs’ from consultation meetings with various tollway stakeholders, including data on violators.

READ: Cheers, drivers! Fines for RFID noncompliance moved to Jan 2025

Meanwhile, Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) executive director Alvin Carullo stated that the postponement of fines was necessary to provide toll operators additional time to “fine-tune” their RFID systems, as they still fall short of meeting government requirements.

Initially, fines were scheduled to take effect on August 31, then moved to October 1.

While the TRB has not ruled out the possibility of further delays beyond January 2025, here are key details you need to know about registering and installing RFID tags before penalties take effect.

RFID system in PH

RFID tags or stickers are widely used for toll payments, parking access, and tracking, enabling a faster and more seamless process by eliminating long stops and cash transactions. It also enables motorists to manage their accounts online, allowing them to easily monitor their balance and reload funds without the need to queue at toll booths.

In the Philippines, two RFID systems are currently in use: Easytrip RFID and Autosweep RFID. While each system requires its own sticker, both provide motorists with a convenient way to access specific toll highways.

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan / INQUIRER.net

Easytrip RFID is operated by the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC). It offers automatic payment for vehicles that pass through toll booths in the following expressways:

• North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)
• Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)
• Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex)
• Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX)
• C5 South Link

Meanwhile, Autosweep RFID is operated by the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and offers motorists access to toll booths located in the following expressways:

• South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)
• Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway)
• NAIA Expressway
• Skyway
• Skyway Stage 3
• Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX)
• Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX)

It should be noted that Autosweep RFID is exclusively for tollways operated by SMC, meaning it cannot be used on expressways and tollways managed by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC).

However, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) states that Autosweep users have the option to link their RFID with Easytrip. This allows seamless access to NLEX, SCTEX, Cavitex, CALAX, and C5 Southlink.

“You will need to visit any Easytrip Office to apply for an account. Using the Autosweep sticker, Easytrip will assign a separate account for you to top up separately. Maintain two accounts — one for SMC Toll Roads and one for MPTC Toll Roads,” LTO said in its online portal.

Option to get only 1 RFID sticker

While motorists can choose to have both RFID stickers installed on their vehicles, they now have the option to take advantage of the so-called interoperability, allowing them to use just one RFID sticker for both Easytrip and Autosweep payments.

“This means ONE (1) RFID sticker for your two (2) RFID accounts. Right now, Easytrip is already accepting enrollments for Autosweep users so they can use their RFID in NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, C5 Link, and CALAX,” Easytrip Services Corporation explained.

Additionally, Easytrip users with Neology (RFID Duo) stickers can register their RFID with Autosweep, granting access to SMC tollways such as TPLEX, Skyway System, NAIAx, SLEX, MCX, and Star.

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan / INQUIRER.net

Easytrip subscribers interested in interoperability must ensure they have the latest RFID Duo sticker, as it’s the only one compatible with Autosweep for cross-use.

While interoperability provides the convenience of a single RFID sticker that can be read in both MPTC and SMC tollways, motorists must still maintain two separate RFID load wallets.

“[Y]ou will still need to maintain 2 RFID accounts — for Easytrip and Autosweep,” said Easytrip Services Corporation.

The company also clarified that interoperability is optional. “You can choose to keep both stickers or use just one RFID for both MPTC and SMC expressways,” it stated.

How to get an Easytrip RFID sticker

To obtain an Easytrip RFID sticker, motorists can visit an authorized Easytrip installation site, typically located near toll plazas or service centers.

The next step is to complete an application form and submit the necessary documents, which include a photocopy of the vehicle’s official receipt (OR) from the LTO or certificate of registration (CR), a valid government-issued ID with a signature, a vehicle ownership or authorization letter, and a copy of the registered owner’s ID (if the applicant is not the registered owner).

Once the application form and required documents are submitted, the RFID sticker will be installed on the vehicle’s windshield. The applicant must then wait for the vehicle, equipped with the newly installed RFID sticker, to undergo testing.

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan / INQUIRER.net

Alternatively, applicants can visit the Easytrip website at www.easytrip.ph to complete the registration form online. They will need to present the reference number at any Easytrip station located within NLEX, CAVITEX, SCTEX, CALAX, or C5 Link.

Vehicles intended for Easytrip installation must be brought to the site within 24 hours of completing online registration. Applicants should also be prepared to make an initial load payment.

Meanwhile, motorists with an existing Easytrip RFID who wish to access both MPTC and SMC tollways can easily obtain a replacement RFID Duo. To do so, they should visit the nearest Easytrip RFID Station with their vehicle and current RFID card, and request the replacement.

How to install an Autosweep RFID sticker

Motorists seeking to register and install an Autosweep RFID sticker can also follow a simple process for efficient tollway access.

The first step is to visit an authorized Autosweep RFID installation center. Once there, applicants will need to fill out the required forms, providing necessary information and valid identification.

After completing the forms, they should submit the required documents, including vehicle registration details, and have the RFID sticker installed on the vehicle’s windshield. Once the installation is complete, motorists must load initial funds into their RFID accounts — ₱200 for Class 1 vehicles and ₱1,000 for Class 2 and 3 vehicles.

The entire registration and installation process is quick, taking only 3 to 5 minutes for the Autosweep To Go service and 10 to 15 minutes for the Autosweep Premium option.

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan / INQUIRER.net

It should be noted that registration requirements vary by account type. For an Autosweep To Go account, no documents are needed aside from the completed Autosweep To Go Subscription Form.

However, those opting for an Autosweep Premium Personal Account must complete the subscription agreement and provide a photocopy of a valid ID with the subscriber’s photo and signature, as well as the vehicle’s OR from the LTO and its CR.

Fines await motorists with no RFID

According to data from the TRB, as of May 2024, approximately 100,000 vehicles in the country lack RFID tags, accounting for 4.8 percent of all motorists.

Meanwhile, among the 95.2 percent of vehicles equipped with toll RFIDs, 3.6 percent are not properly reloading their RFID accounts or wallets.

READ: Fines await those without RFID, with insufficient load by Aug. 31

As detailed in Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-001, signed by the DOTr, LTO, and TRB on August 1, fines and penalties will be imposed for motorists without valid RFID devices or those with insufficient load balances. The fines are structured as follows:

For entering toll roads without a valid RFID or electronic toll collection device:

• First offense: ₱1,000
• Second offense: ₱2,000
• Subsequent offenses: ₱5,000 each

For exiting the expressway with insufficient balance:

• First offense: ₱500
• Second offense: ₱1,000
• Subsequent offenses: ₱2,500 each

For using fake, tampered, or counterfeit RFID devices and e-cards:

• First offense: ₱1,000
• Second offense: ₱2,000
• Subsequent offenses: ₱5,000 each

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