SMC: Unified payment for expressways unlikely without cashless toll collection
Suspending cashless toll collection will hinder the implementation of a unified payment option for motorists passing through expressways managed by different operators, according to San Miguel Corp. (SMC).
The operator of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) and Skyway, in a statement on Monday, said that full interoperability of SMC’s Autosweep and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.’s EasyTrip Services would not be achieved without the use of a cashless toll collection scheme.
The current setup requires motorists to have RFID (radio frequency identification) stickers of both tollway operators to make digital toll payments.
Interoperability means motorists will only need to maintain a single e-wallet that can be used in all tollways, making travel more seamless.
“[A] fundamental requirement for achieving this interoperability is the full adoption of cashless and contactless toll collection,” SMC said. “Without a uniform cashless system, seamless integration between different toll operators cannot be fully realized.”
Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon, in a press briefing last week, announced that he had ordered the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to halt the implementation of the contactless toll program on March 15.
‘Antipoor’
Dizon raised the need to ensure first the readiness of all toll plaza infrastructure before pushing through. He also described the mandatory cashless method as “antipoor,” especially for Filipinos on a limited budget.
“We understand the need to ensure that any transition to cashless tolling is seamless and truly beneficial to the public. When implemented effectively, it enhances convenience, safety, and efficiency for everyone on the road,” SMC said.
The TRB earlier said that toll plazas must have at least a 98-percent readability rate for all motorists passing through.
Readability refers to automatic detection of RFID stickers, while account management deals with accurate charging of toll, crediting of load to accounts and updating of account balance information, among others.
“Beyond just improving toll transactions, cashless tolling helps ease congestion and shorten travel times—making daily commutes easier and supporting businesses and individuals who rely on efficient road networks,” the tollway operator added.
