According to the leader in the public infrastructure, the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp or the MPTC; there would be a shifting in their usual transactions starting the 2nd of November 2020, all vehicles that would traverse the Subic – Clark – Tarlac Expressway or the SCTEX, as well as the North Luzon Expressway or the NLEX would need to undergo contactless and cashless transactions.
As per their advisory; this move was to comply to the mandate of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr’s) in regard to the transitioning to electronic transactions.
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This is in compliance with the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) mandate to all motorists to install and use RFID in all expressways to control the spread of COVID-19.”
Rodrigo Franco, the President and the Chief Executive Officer of the MPTC said that within the year; each of their plans would become effective and efficient. He said that other than the SCTEX and the NLEX; the Cavite-Laguna Expressway or the CALAx would also be part of this change.
Our expressway network that includes the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx), and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAx) is primed for cashless and contactless transactions within the year.”
How Motorists Can Get RFID
In case you’re wondering how you can get and apply for the RFID in SCTEX and NLEX; the MPTC said that motorists can apply for the Radio-Frequency Identification or RFID for free via different reloading and installation sites that can be found in the SCTEX or the NLEX.
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The installation or the reloading site in NLEX is at the Mindanao Toll Plaza Lane NO2. It’s open for 1st Class vehicles and is operational 24/7. With this change, Franco said that all of the transactions would be accelerated and it’s going to be for the betterment or the improvement of the transportation.
In addition to that, the company also said that motorists can get it through Shopee or other online stores that offer it. It can even be installed and integrated by the motorists themselves! There’s no hassle to get it; if you know that you will need it, you can easily get it from multiple sites and locations!
Getting the free RFID sticker online thru Shopee, and installing it yourself, is the truly contactless and cashless way.”
Preparation for the RFID in SCTEX and NLEX
Roberto Bontia, MPTC’s RFID 100 Task Force; and is currently the head of the CALAx and CAVITEx said that they are indulging in in-depth preparations for change. He said that they’re on the move to deliver and to provide improvement and development in the following:
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- Motorist Assistance
- Operational and Visibility Improvements
- Infrastructure Readiness
- Manpower Re-Equipping
- Retooling
If we were to look at it in the most technical way, Bontia said that they’re just waiting for everything to be done; they’re essentially ready to shift to the changes that the MPTC is planning to have.
Moreover, MPTC assures that any RFID sticker installed by its provider Easytrip Corporation, will be compatible throughout the MPTC network of expressways hence, a better customer experience overall.”
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Replacement of the DSRC
Technically, the RFID sticker will be replacing the Easytrip DSRC or the Dedicated Short Range Communication program. This will see a phase out starting the 30th of September to make way for the shift to RFID in SCTEX and NLEX.
Don’t fret if you’re not aware where you can get the RFID. It will be available in the installation and reloading sites in the field. No one will be left unaware of where they can get it.
A few weeks back, the NLEX released their version of the newest RFID system. They unveiled their plans of replacing the Easytrip DSRC earlier this month. Luigi Bautista, NLEX Corp. President, said that the NLEX is on its way to move forward and to adapt to all the changes that would be for the betterment of the experience of motorists.
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NLEX is moving towards delivering high quality infrastructure, both physical and digital. We are fully supporting…[the] campaign to ensure compatibility with all other expressways while continuing to promote the health and safety of our motorists amidst this health crisis.”
What do you think about the plans of migrating or shifting to RFID in SCTEX and NLEX? Would cashless and contactless transactions be safer than how we are doing it today? Furthermore, is this be a better and a faster solution to all the problems that our current transportation system lacks?
Source/s: Business Mirror PH | Manila Bulletin News