DOTr: Toll transactions must be contactless

MANILA: The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has issued a directive to all toll expressways to conduct all payment transactions with drivers and motorists using only cashless and contactless means in order to reduce and prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Under Department Order 2020-012 signed last August 13 by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, concerned agencies of the DOTr have been ordered to formulate new processes and procedures within three months to ensure the smooth implementation of the new policy.

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is now tasked to promulgate rules and regulations requiring concessionaires and operators of toll expressways to fully transition to an electronic toll collection system.

A study conducted by the LTO (Land Transportation Office) is now underway, exploring ways and means to allow for a full cashless and contactless system along expressways, while the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has been directed to monitor the compliance of all public utility vehicles (PUVs) on the mandatory use/installation of electronic tags or use of other cashless systems in their units.

“We carry with us the burden of ensuring that our transport facilities will not be a transmission vector of the disease, while at the same time, providing an efficient system of public transport. With both tasks at hand, there is a need to strike a balance. Requiring contactless transactions is one of our ways of doing it. And in achieving the balance, naiintindihan natin na hindi laging magiging madali sa umpisa (we understand that it won’t be always be easy in the beginning). If there will be initial inconveniences, let us look forward to the long-term benefit of it,” said Transportation Secretary Tugade.

Contactless transactions will be implemented in South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), South Metro Manila Skyway, Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), and all other road networks, including any extension of the existing expressway facilities that may be constructed, established and/or operated as expressway toll facilities.

Photos from the NLEX Corporation Facebook page

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