DOTr, expressway operators sign MOA on interoperability of toll collection systems

CLARK FREEPORT — In a historic move, 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), signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with expressway operators to unify toll collection in the country last September 15.

Seventeen companies currently operating the 13 expressways in Luzon, operational or ongoing construction, have agreed to smoothly and fairly implement interoperability of their respective Cash Payment and Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems.

Under the MOA, expressway operators will be required to update their collection systems to allow interoperability and integration. For electronic payments, each operator shall install and maintain an Electronic Transit Media Reading Device in at least two entry and exit toll booths, which is 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.

This means that motorists can use their electronic tags from one toll road operator to another. When paying in cash, motorists will get a ticket once at entry and pay once at exit. When going to Baguio from Manila for example, a motorist will get an entry ticket at NLEX and then 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.

(Press Release)