The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has directed the Tollway Concessionaires and Operators of expressways under its jurisdiction to conduct a dry-run of the Contactless Program on selected qualified toll plazas for two (2) months starting September 1, 2023. This is in line with TRB’s support and compliance with the Resolution passed by the Committee on Transportation of the House on Representatives calling for the re-implementation of the Contactless Program.
The dry-run is a necessary procedure to ascertain the readiness of the Tollway Concessionaires and Operators for the smooth and efficient re-implementation of the Contactless Program.
It would be recalled that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) issued Department Order No. 2020-12 dated August 13, 2020 requiring cashless or contactless transaction for all vehicles travelling on toll expressways. The purpose is initially as a measure to mitigate the transmission of Covid-19 and subsequently as a means to ensure a more efficient flow of traffic within the expressways. However, due to numerous complaints received during the implementation of the said program way back in November 2020 brought about by various constraints and glitches in the ETC Systems, the DOTr issued an Addendum dated January 29, 2021 allowing vehicles with no RFID stickers and requiring cash lanes in all toll plazas. This Addendum remains effective as of this time.
Aside from the regular performance audit done by the TRB on the ETCs of the expressways, it also conducted various special performance audits from February 23, 2023 to June 22, 2023. The TRB TCS Audit Team assessed a total of 717 out of 852 (84%) operated toll lanes. The remaining 135 toll lanes (16%) are currently being operated as cash lanes and will be tested once converted to ETC lanes.
The TRB TCS Audit Team considered the following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications (MPSS) of the ETC of the expressways: (1) On Readability Rate, at least 98% successful automatic detection; and (2) On Account Management, almost real time transmission of data, accurate charging of toll fees, crediting of load to the account, updating of account balance information and accurate Toll Fare Indicator information during lane passage.
Several toll plazas and toll lanes passed the 98% Readability Rate while some expressways passed the parameters on Account Management. Based on the results, the TRB TCS Audit Team recommended that a two (2)-month dry-run be conducted on the selected qualified toll plazas. This was approved by the multi-agency members of the TRB in its regular meeting held on July 28, 2023.
The toll plazas that qualified to participate in the Dry-Run are as follows:
𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬:
A. North Luzon Expressway – All Toll Plazas
B. Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway – All Toll Plazas
C. Cavite-Laguna Expressway – All Toll Plazas
D. Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway-C5 Southlink
- Taguig Toll Plaza
- Merville Toll Plaza
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬:
A. NAIA Expressway – All Toll Plazas
B. South Metro Manila Skyway, Stages 1 and 2
- Skyway Elevated Alpha and Bravo
- C5 Exit and Entry
- Nichols Entry
- Nichols Exit
- Merville Exit
- Bicutan Entry SB and NB
- Sucat Exit SB and NB
- Alabang SB Exit
C. South Luzon Expressway
- Filinvest Exit and Entry
- Alabang NB and SB
- Mamplasan NB
- Sta. Rosa NB
- ABI SB and NB
- Cabuyao SB
- Silangan SB
- Batino SB Exit
- Calamba-Turbina SB Exit
- Calamba NB Exit
- Canlubang SB Entry
- Calamba SB Entry
- Calamba-Real NB Entry
- Calamba-Turbina A NB Entry
D. Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway – All Toll Plazas
E. Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3
- Buendia NB Entry
- Buendia SB Exit
- Plaza Dilao SB Entry
- G. Araneta NB Entry
- Quezon Ave. NB Entry
- Quezon Ave. NB Exit
- Quezon Ave. SB Entry
- Del Monte NB Alpha
F. Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway
- Victoria Toll Plaza
- Pura Toll Plaza
- Anao Toll Plaza
- Pozzorubio Toll Plaza
- Rosario Toll Plaza
G. STAR Tollway
- Sto. Tomas SB Entry
- Sto. Tomas NB Entry
- Tanauan NB Entry
As agreed between TRB and the Toll Concessionaires and Operators, a first batch of qualified toll plazas will initially form part of the dry-run to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation. Other qualified toll plazas will gradually be included during the dry-run period.
The first batch of qualified toll plazas that will be included in the dry-run will be posted in signages and banners at the expressways, and in the websites of TRB and the Tollway Concessionaires and Operators.
The TRB strongly encourages the tollway users to switch from cash to RFID. For those with existing RFID sticker, they are advised to have their RFID sticker checked if it needs replacement, and that they have sufficient load before they enter the expressway.
