Suspension of NLEX Corp business permit stays

MANILA, Philippines – North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corp.’s business permit suspension order stands because it refused to agree to Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian’s offer of a barrier solution for alleviate congestion at toll gates.

During a two-hour meeting between Gatchalian and NLEX officials, the company requested additional time to study the proposed barrier solution.

“If you have the time you want, I will be available to get more answers to our questions about the ‘lifting of barriers’, and that will be the answer on when we will lift the suspension,” Gatchalian told NLEX president and CEO Luigi. Baptist.

Under the “barriers up” scheme, radio frequency identification (RFID) subscribers are not required to stop and wait for toll road scanners or readers to record toll transactions.

The procedure was proposed to avoid a large accumulation of motorists at the NLEX toll gates.

Gatchalian previously said that the city government will only lift the commercial permit suspension if NLEX agrees to erect barriers at toll plazas.

‘Barrier-free’ toll in two or three years

During the meeting, Ma. Northwesterly Dionisio, Deputy Vice President of Operations for NLEX Corp., said they will implement a timed barrier solution for RFID lanes, but only during heavy traffic situations.

“The ‘barrier’ operations allow the vehicles to continue and the RFID sensor or reader will continue to operate and record the toll transaction,” explained Dionisio.

According to NLEX VP of Technology Glenn Campos, the barrier-free implementation at toll plazas will take place in the next two to three years.

Campos said that the implementation of a barrier-free toll road will require the removal of the toll barriers and related structures, as well as the installation of the necessary structures.

He also noted that a 24/7 barrier scenario could lead to security concerns.

“Allowing entry with barriers 24/7 can lead to security concerns, such as entry of unauthorized vehicles (eg, Tricycles, vehicles without lights) and will prevent enforcement laws such as the Traffic and Land Transportation Code, the Safety Belt Law and the Anti-Overload Law, ”Campos said.

Campos also mentioned regulatory approvals and the possible loss of revenue as a possible result of having a barrier system.

However, Gatchalian insisted that the barrier solution should be implemented immediately.

“[If the  RFID easy trip system has a] 98 percent readability rate, just two percent illegible, why don’t we increase it? Why are you still worried about the two percent? asked Gatchalian

( [If the  RFID easy trip system has a 98 percent readability rate and only two percent have issues, why are you against lifting the barriers?  Why are you still worried about the two percent?)

He explained that there is already proof that revenue will not be a problem if they will impose the solution.

“Nung nangyaring toll holiday maraming na-charge na nakataas [ang barrier] proof of concept na pwede ”, he added.

(During the toll holidays, some motorists were charged while the barriers were going up – that’s proof of concept that it works.)

The mayor proposed that the barrier-lifting solution should also be applied “perpetually” and not just during peak hours.

“The point is, you like it when it’s convenient for you, but you don’t like it when it’s convenient for motorists,” he said.

Scheduled closure

The general manager of the Manila Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA), Jojo García, suggested to NLEX that it have a scheduled barrier.

“You want to close it early, 12am to 5am, for drunks, etc.,” he said.

(If you wish, you can put up barriers from 12 am to 5 am for drunk drivers, etc.)

“You need to identify yourself during certain hours. For example, from 5 am to 10 am in barrier kayo for Valenzuela ”, he added.

(You need to identify yourself for certain hours. For example, from 5 am to 10 am you can remove barriers in Valenzuela).

MOA on consumer wellness issues

While the discussion on solving barriers remains open, Gatchalian and NLEX officials agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding ensuring that the company’s technical update will address consumer wellness issues by 2021.

Included in the list of consumer wellness issues mentioned by Gatchalian were:

• Ineffective RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) registration process;
• Unfavorable policy for companies with regard to fleet management;
• Inefficient recharge system including delay in accreditation time, charge limit of P1,000 and balance maintenance;
• The walk through the charging booths that, according to the mayor, “defeats the purpose of the contactless transaction”;
• Account management issues covering issues related to missing RFID upload and double uploading;
• The “ghost rider” problem in which a motorist is charged even if he or she has not passed the toll roads.

Campos, however, assured the public that his new Easytrip app will address technical issues before January 30, 2021.

“With the update, all the issues we showed, double charging … all need to be resolved?” Gatchalian asked.

(With the update, can you solve all the problems we presented, double charge, they will all be solved?)

“I can handle all of that. The account management system is the improvement we are making, ”Campos said, adding that they are one hundred percent sure of meeting the deadline they established.

(These will be handled. We are improving the account management system).

Gatchalian and NLEX officials also agreed to restore the cash lines.

READ: NLEX will reopen cash lines to avoid queues at toll plazas

On December 7, the Valenzuela city government suspended NLEX Corp.’s business permit because the company was unable to service the heavy traffic caused by the cashless toll collection.

Following the issuance of the suspension order, Gatchalian bared complains about unresponsive sensors on toll roads, as well as missing RFID load balances. According to the mayor, some motorists noted that their RFID account will reflect a low or no balance even if they simply topped up their accounts.

READ: NLEX Corp. says some motorists complain of ‘faulty’ RFID stickers

KGA

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