Motorists can expect to use a single and unified RFID wallet for a more efficient cashless toll payment across a cashless system by the second half of the year.
A unified RFID, or radio frequency ID, system has been the subject of recent test runs, according to Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Alvin Carullo.
"We did a test run in December, and we will be having another run this 10 January," he said. "Hopefully, by July 2024, we will be implementing the interoperability Phase 3. We will have one wallet and one RFID."
The agency reset the target launch last year due to issues such as the alleged unfavorable views of some motorists regarding the plan and the delayed release of data required for the project to move forward.
"The hardest thing for us is motorist attitude. What I am saying to the toll operators is that they may need to encourage motorists to have incentives to use the RFID," Carullo said.
"I am encouraging the toll operators to come up with marketing strategies and incentives to make the RFID system palatable," he added.
The TRB head said obtaining the unified RFID tag would be optional "at first" and that motorists may do it online.
"For those who use the tollways, they (would) have only one account and an RFID tag attached to the vehicle. You are no longer required to load two wallets. This will be voluntary at first. If you want to have just one, or you still want to maintain two, you don't have to stand in line with our old system that still goes to the stations," he explained.
Once in place, for instance, motorists may start passing through North Luzon Expressway, a toll road operated by MPTC, using their Autosweep RFID sticker, which is normally used across SMC-operated motorways. In turn, those with EasyTrip RFID stickers can also use them on MPTC-controlled expressways.
Carullo said the TRB, in partnership with the toll operators, will also simultaneously launch a cashless system along with the rollout of the unified RFID.
"By 31 March, we will have the data to make a recommendation to the board. At this time, an addendum requires a cash lane, one cash lane at all toll plazas. So if the result is good, we will recommend to the board to lift the addendum and we implement the full cashless system on the tollways," he said.
The Toll Interoperability Project was launched in 2017, requiring toll road companies to make system adjustments for integrated toll collection.
The first stage of the project involves implementing a completely cashless and contactless system for toll payments.
The second stage, on the other hand, includes the use of two RFID wallets to hold payment loads for specific toll plazas, but there will also be a single RFID sticker that can be read by sensors at various toll roads.
Finally, the third stage involves implementing an RFID sticker for all toll expressways and consolidating all toll payments in one wallet.
