TRB urged to modernize toll systems first before penalizing motorists on RFID

THE former Officer-in-Charge of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and former spokesperson of the Department of Transportation called on the Toll Regulatory Board to prioritize the modernization of toll collection systems before imposing penalties on motorists for not having RFID tags or having insufficient loads.

“Before we even think of penalizing motorists, the TRB must first focus on improving and modernizing the toll collection systems. The persistent congestion on our toll roads, especially in Metro Manila, is largely due to defective RFID readers and the lack of a uniform payment system across various tollway concessionaires,” Atty. Nick Conti, convenor of CLICK Partylist and CEO of Capstone-Intel Corp. said

Conti pointed out that the current RFID technology used in the Philippines is outdated and unreliable, leading to delays and inconvenience for motorists. 

“It’s time for the TRB to adopt state-of-the-art toll collection technology similar to those used in countries like Singapore, Germany, and the United States, where toll systems are seamless and efficient,” he added.

Atty. Conti, now the Convenor of the CLICK Partylist and CEO of Capstone-Intel Corp., cited examples from around the world, such as Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system, which uses overhead gantries equipped with sensors to detect vehicles and automatically deduct tolls, and Germany’s Toll Collect system, which uses GPS and mobile communication technology to calculate and collect tolls based on distance traveled. 

He also highlighted the electronic toll collection systems in the United States, like E-ZPass, which allows for quick and seamless toll payments through RFID technology.

“Modernizing our toll collection systems will not only improve efficiency and convenience for motorists but also ensure accurate and transparent toll collection, which is crucial for revenue generation and road maintenance,” Atty. Conti emphasized.

He also stressed the need for a standardized toll collection system across all toll roads to avoid the need for multiple RFID tags or compatibility issues. 

“A unified system will benefit all road users, ensuring a smoother and more consistent travel experience,” he noted.

Atty. Conti further suggested that the TRB be empowered with advanced technology to conduct daily audits of toll collections, ensuring that the revenue collected is accurately reported and properly remitted.

“The modernization of our toll collection systems is not just about convenience; it’s about improving traffic mobility, reducing congestion, and enhancing the overall road user experience. We must learn from global best practices and implement these solutions here in the Philippines,” he concluded.

Motorists passing through expressways without radio frequency identification (RFID) devices as well as those with insufficient load balance will be meted with penalties.

According to the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-001, signed by the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) on Aug. 1, 2024, and will take effects on August 31, 2024, motorists entering toll roads without valid RFID or electronic toll collection (ETC) device, including dilapidated ones, shall be penalized as “No Valid ETC Device” with the following fines: First offense – P1,000; Second offense – P2,000; Subsequent offenses – P5,000 per offense

Those exiting an expressway with insufficient balance, meanwhile, shall be penalized as “Insufficient Load” with the following penalties: First offense – P500; Second offense – P1,000; Subsequent offenses – P2,500 per offense

Meanwhile, for the use of fraudulent, tampered, or fake RFID device and e-card upon entry and exit on toll expressway shall be penalized as “Fraudulent or Falsified ETC” with a penalty of: First offense – P1,000; Second offense – P2,000; Subsequent offenses – P5,000 per offense

The agency that issued advisories on the JMC to discuss the details of the other provisions such as the responsibilities of the toll expressway concessionaires/operators, RFID service providers, toll expressway users, the LTO, and the TRB; as well as its salient provisions. 

BANNER PHOTO COURTESY: GADGET PHILIPPINES