Toll collection systems to be unified soon

The government is currently in talks with operators of 13 expressways in Luzon and expects the Toll Collection Interoperability Agreement to be signed within this month.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) are negotiating with San Miguel Holdings Corporation, Private Infra Development Corporation, Skyway O&M Corporation, South Luzon Tollways Corporation, Vertex Tollways Development Incorporated, Star Infrastructure Development Corporation, NLEX Corporation, Tollway Management Corporation, Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corporation, Manila Toll Expressway Systems Incorporated, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation, PEA Tollway Corporation, MPCALA Holdings Incorporated, Ayala Corporation and MCX Tollway, Inc.

The Department of Public Works and Highways, Land Transportation Office and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority are also co-signatories.

The first phase of the interoperability agreement will cover electronic toll collection using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The second phase will cover cash collection interoperability.

It will take around six months for the first phase and another six months for the second phase.

Under the agreement, the operators will make their toll collection systems interoperable and integrated so motorists can have a faster, more seamless travel experience.

Motorists using electronic tags can go from one toll road to another operator while those paying in cash just need to get a ticket once at entry and pay once at exit regardless of which toll road they enter and exit from.

For example, after completion of the NLEX-SLEX connector roads, a motorist will only have to get a ticket once at an NLEX entry and pay once at an SLEX exit.

“Our expressways are managed by different companies but they are willing to work with the government and with each other to give customers a better travel experience,” according to DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade. “Making our toll systems interoperable will bring a new level of convenience to our motorists, especially during peak season.” (EVA)