Toll operators sign MOA to unify collection system

Transport agencies and the 17 operators of Luzon's 13 expressways yesterday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) unifying toll collection in the country.

The public sector signatories include the Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO), along with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

The operators agreed to update and integrate their Cash Payment and Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems.

Under the MOA, each operator shall install and maintain an Electronic Transit Media Reading Device in at least two entry and exit toll booths capable of reading, accepting, and processing any electronic transit media approved by the TRB.

For cash payments, each toll road operator will be required to install and maintain an Entry Ticket Reading Device in at least two entry and exit toll booths that accepts and processes any entry ticket.

Now, motorists can use their electronic tags from one toll road operator to another. When paying in cash, they can get a ticket once at entry and pay once at exit. When going to Baguio from Manila, a motorist will get an entry ticket at NLEX and pay when he exits TPLEX.

The interoperability for electronic toll collection shall be implemented immediately, while cash payment collection shall be implemented six months from the signing of the MOA.

Parties to the agreement will also explore the development and possible implementation of Debit Card Interoperability.

The MOA also states that future toll road operators must also comply with the agreement and unify their collection systems with existing ones.