MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe hit the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) after it issued a memorandum that will penalize motorists for entering the expressways without a radio frequency identification (RFID) or a sufficient load balance.
“The regulator and the private entities running it must fix the current RFID woes and prove the technology of cashless payment will give our motorists better travel experience than inconvenience,” Poe told reporters in a statement.
On Wednesday, the TRB along with the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Office issued a joint memorandum circular punishing motorists who would enter the expressways without an RFID or a sufficient load balance.
The memorandum was signed on August 1 but was only announced on August 21.
According to the lawmaker, before the TRB impose penalty on motorists, the RFID system must first pass the test of “reliability, efficiency, and interoperability.”
Motorists continue to report issues with devices that fail to read RFID stickers, a problem we have also encountered. Some devices either do not display the remaining balance or are completely non-functional, necessitating manual payment with the card, Poe said
“Months ago, we were promised by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) of full implementation of the interoperability of Easy Trip and Autosweep services by July to make travel easier. What happened to this?” the lawmaker said.
Poe also questioned what the TRB is doing about the effective RFID devices and if private operators are being penalized for them.
“The logjam of vehicles at the expressway toll booths manifests the unreliability of the system,” she said
Under the memorandum circular, drivers need to get an electronic toll device, such as an RFID tag, attach it to their vehicles, and make sure their accounts have enough balance to cover their toll fees.
Here are the monetary sanctions for violating the order:
Entering a tollway without an RFID sticker:
- First offense – P1,000
- Second offense – P2,000
- Third offense – P5,000
Leaving the toll expressway with insufficient balance:
- First offense — P500
- Second offense — P1,000
- Subsequent offenses — P2,500
Using fake, tampered, or counterfeit RFID devices and e-cards will incur the following penalties:
Subsequent offenses – P5,000 per offense
First offense – P1,000
Second offense – P2,000
