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The new toll collection providers Easytrip Y Automatic sweep, to which motorists are required to make their payments, they are not interchangeable on all highways.
Easytrip and Autosweep allow cashless transactions through the radio frequency identification (RFID) on the main highways that connect Metro Manila with other provinces.
Easytrip RFID is under the Metro Pacific Toll Roads and Autosweep RFID is implemented by the San Miguel Corporation.
Both companies are issuing RFID stickers for free at various installation sites in Metro Manila.
The MPTC Easytrip system can be used in the following:
- The North Luzon Expressway (NLEx)
- Subic-Clark-Tarlac Highway (SCTEx)
- The Manila-Cavite Highway (CAVITEx)
- The C5 Southlink
- Cavite-Laguna Highway (CALAX)
On the other hand, Autosweep from SMC covers:
- Southern Luzon Highway (SLEx)
- The STAR turnpike
- Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Unión Highway (TPLEx)
- NAIA Highway (NAIAx)
- Muntinlupa-Cavite Highway (MCX)
New extension of the installation of free RFID stickers
the Department of Transportation Previously, he had tried to use cashless public transportation as a preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19 and for the convenience of motorists.
The agency started it with the issuance of electronic cards for some public service vehicles in early October.
Then on Oct. 23, the DOTr also directed toll roads to fully implement the same contactless payment method by Nov. 2.
However, due to the “outcry” and complaints from motorists for the limited time, the transportation agency decided to move the launch date to December 1.
In a statement on October 28, the Executive Director of the Tolls Regulatory Board (TRB) Abraham Sales He emphasized that there will no longer be any extensions after this date.
The TRB is an agency attached to the DOTr.
Secretary (Arthur) Tugade allowed the extension to give motorists, especially infrequent users of toll roads, more time to comply with the department’s order, and to avoid the long lines currently being experienced in toll roads in the rush to get RFID tags, ”Sales said.
“But, mind you, this will be the last time we expand. No more extensions beyond December 1 ”, he added.
What were the complaints?
Amid the looming deadline, some Filipinos, particularly those who don’t drive or travel frequently, expressed confusion about how to register and use the two stickers.
Columnist and blogger JC Punongbayan asked if the government has plans to integrate Easytrip and Autosweep with each other.
“Are you planning to just put it together?” I ask.
Do you plan to merge it ??? pic.twitter.com/EXRDqkdyLm
– JC Punongbayan (@jcpunongbayan) October 26, 2020
Twitter user @lakwatsarah suggested getting an automatic sweep first and then registering with Easytrip afterward.
“Easytrip machines can read Autosweep, but Autosweep machines cannot read Easytrip”, user wrote.
Dominic Ligot, a fellow at the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, criticized that DOTr’s cashless schemes only proved to be a burden to the public with additional costs.
2 beeps.
2 RFID.
Not interoperable.
Balanced.
As it should be.Not.
– Dominic Ligot (@docligot) October 26, 2020
Some Filipinos were also previously confused with the issuance of Beep cards from AF Payments Inc. and cards for BEEP rides or modern jeepneys.
Interoperability project
TRB has plans to integrate the two providers or make them interoperable through the Interoperability Project for Toll Collection.
For the first phase, which was announced on October 23, the auto-scan labels will be readable by Easytrip machines.
The second phase involves making the Easytrip labels legible for automatic scan machines.
As of this writing, motorists crossing major highways must install both stickers on their vehicles; otherwise, they will receive fines.
Long queue of vehicles
Meanwhile, blogger Noemi Dado pointed out that Easytrip cards were previously available on Shopee and that there are other resellers of these cards on the platform.
He also attached photos of a long queue of cars for the free installation of RFID stickers.
“I bought Easy Trip at [Shopee] two months ago but they ran out of stock. Instead, ‘enterprising’ resellers are selling at a profit, “he said.
This was two days ago. The queue is so long just before SLEX and CALAX. I bought Easy Trip from Shoppee two months ago, but stocks are out. Instead, “enterprising” resellers sell at a profit. pic.twitter.com/RrvSLnIIjK
– Noemi L. Dado (@momblogger) October 23, 2020
Last Tuesday, October 27, the Philippine Star also reported a traffic jam at Balintawak Toll Plaza as vehicles were heading to the RFID installation site.
Motorists try to take advantage of the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag at Balintawak Toll Plaza, causing a traffic jam on Tuesday. The RFID tag enables cashless transactions on toll roads. pic.twitter.com/ww3D9AlB7S
– The Philippine star (@PhilippineStar) October 27, 2020
RFID installation to continue despite implementation of cashless toll charges
He clarified that while all highways will implement cashless toll charges, motorists without RFID stickers will still be able to enter the toll plaza, but will be driven to an area where their vehicles will receive the RFID stickers.
Both MPTC and SMC clarified that drivers who do not have Easytrip RFID and Autosweep RFID stickers will be able to go through toll roads.
“Motorists who do not have Easytrip RFID stickers installed before November 2 will still be able to pass through NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, C5 Link and CALAX, but will be directed to the RFID installation lanes where they can install their RFID stickers. The corresponding toll rate for their passage on that particular day will be deducted from the initial charge they paid to obtain the RFID tags, ”DOTr said in a statement.
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