GOVPH

Following the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) issuance of its Department Order No. 2024-022 lifting D.O. No. 2021-003, or the Addendum to D.O. No. 2020-012, “Requiring Cashless or Contactless Transactions for All Vehicles Travelling on Toll Expressways”; the Toll regulatory Board’s (TRB) issuance of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of DOTr’s Department Order No. 2020-012; and after several months of dry-run implementation thereof, the Cashless/Contactless Transactions Program will be re-implemented starting March 15, 2025 in all toll expressways under the TRB’s jurisdiction. This program intends to optimize the use of all the toll lanes/plazas through the utilization of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) System.

It can be recalled that the program was initially implemented sometime in December 2020 but it was suspended due to several operational issues.

Thus, starting March 15, 2025, all motor vehicles travelling along the toll expressways are mandatorily required to have Valid ETC Device/Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sticker installed on them. Those motor vehicles without Valid ETC Device/RFID Sticker will nonetheless still be allowed to enter the toll lane/plaza, but shall be installed with an ETC Device/RFID Sticker at the designated space after the toll plaza, or the nearest installation site. However, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), through its deputized personnel, will issue against them either a Temporary Operator’s Permit or a Show cause Order for violating the “No Valid ETC Device, No Entry” Policy under the DOTr/LTO/TRB’s Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-001, and will be meted the corresponding penalty/ies.

It has been observed that the dedicated toll lanes used by cash paying motorists are usually congested with long lines of motor vehicles, and the same often hamper the fast and efficient flow of traffic leading to the ETC designated lanes. It is expected that a better and more efficient flow of traffic will result once these lanes are strictly used for ETC only.

All motorists who have yet to avail of ETC Device/RFID Sticker are thus encouraged to do so this early, to avoid penalties and for a problem-free travel along toll expressways.

Considering the roll-out of the Cashless or Contactless Transactions Program, and as directed by the DOTr, LTO and TRB, the Toll Expressway Concessionaires, Operators, and RFID Service Providers will establish and make available more RFID installation sites, and multifarious loading modes, and loading stations in and out of the toll expressways; reach out of their customers through caravans and corporate or group events; and establish installation sites prior to entry in most or at least in all major entries of toll expressways. They will also facilitate and simplify the ETC Device/RFID Sticker application and installation procedures.

The installation of ETC Device/RFID Sticker is free, and there is no required maintaining balance. ETC/RFID subscribers may load the exact amount of toll fees needed to travel along the toll expressway. All of these are meant to make it easy and more convenient to the motorists.

To complement the subject program, the Toll Expressway Concessionaires, Operators, and RFID Service Providers are mandated under the 2024 Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications (MPSS) to conform and comply with the enumerated Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Toll Collection System, as well as other operations-related matters. Failure to do so will warrant the imposition against them of the corresponding penalties and other sanctions.

Accordingly, the DOTr, LTO and TRB fervently seek the cooperation and assistance of all the stakeholders to achieve efficient and smooth transactions; and faster, safer, and convenient travel, along all toll expressways.

Secretary Jaime J. Bautista of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is deferring implementation of the revised guidelines on toll expressways to October 1st, 2024.

The revised guidelines, contained in Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) no. 2024-01 was signed last August 1 by Sec. Bautista, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Executive Director Alvin Carullo of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB). It was originally for implementation on August 31, 2024 after its publication in a major newspaper.

“We hope the concerned agencies and tollway operators would use the 30-day deferment to finetune expressway operations and further intensify the public information campaign to enable tollway users to comply with the new guidelines,” said Sec. Bautista.

Apart from updating the responsibilities of LTO, TRB, DOTr, tollway concessionaires and users, the JMC also imposes the penalties for lack of installed electronic toll collection (ETC) device or insufficient load balance of the Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), as well as strengthens the deputization by LTO of tollway enforcers of the two groups of tollway operators, among others.

“These revised guidelines should significantly improve traffic along expressways through cashless or contactless toll plazas,” added Sec. Bautista.

In 2021, TRB moved closer to cashless expressways by designating only one exit lane for cash transactions at toll plazas (all other lanes for ETC) in compliance to a Department Order of DOTr.

The transport chief is soliciting the support of tollway users by complying with provisions of the JMC that covers expressways under TRB’s jurisdiction.

Pursuant to Section 3 (e)(6)(b) of Presidential Decree No. 1112, the Toll Regulatory Board is mandated to "issue rules and regulations to carry out the purposes [there]of." Thus, TRB has the power to issue policies, rules and regulations to ensure safe, comfortable, smooth and convenient travel, as well as the enforcement of traffic laws, along the toll expressways. Accordingly, the TRB drafted the:(a) Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-001, entailed “Revised Guidelines For All Vehicles Travelling On Toll Expressways”, to authorize the installation and enforcement of of the :No Valid ETC Device, No Entry", and "No Sufficient Load, No Entry" Regulatory Signs in entering and travelling on toll expressways, that will aid in the smooth re-implementation of the Contactless Toll Collection Program, and the full completion and roll-out of the Interoperability Project; (b) the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (RIRR) of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Department Order No. 2020-012, to govern the method of toll transactions at toll expressways; and the 2024 Revised Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications (MPSS) for Toll Collection System, to establish the updated minimum requirements that the Toll Expressway Concessionaires/Operators and ETC/RFID Service Providers must comply with regard to the operation of the toll expressways in their related facilities, as well as penalties for non-conformity/non-compliance thereof, among others.

In the interest of public service and to seek the comments/inputs/perspective thereon, the TRB wishes to invite toll expressway users and other stakeholders to attend the Public Consultations to be held on the following dates at the DOTr Multi-purpose Hall, 16F, The Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue, Brgy. Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City:

The Public Consultations are on a first-come, first-serve basis and eighty (80) slots for the face-to-face attendees are allotted in each schedule. The TRB will restrict the registration link access once it already receives the allotted number of participants that will attend the Public Consultations. Registration is through this link: https://bit.ly/JMC2024-001.

Copies of the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-001, entitled "Revised Guidelines for All Vehicles Travelling On Toll Expressways"; Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (RIRR) of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Department Order No. 2020-012; and 2024 Revised Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications (MPSS) for Toll Collection System can be downloaded in the TRB Website.

Concerned stakeholders may send their comments/inputs.perspective to the TRB Office at 5/F The Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue, Brgy. Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City, or email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you very much.

𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗟𝗘𝗫 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟰 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟵 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.

It may be recalled in its Consolidated Resolution dated 17 May 2023 for the 2012 and 2014 Petitions, the TRB approved the first periodic toll rate adjustments at the SLEX since 2011.

To protect the general welfare, curb existing inflationary situation and to mitigate the impact of the said adjustments, the TRB further directed that the said toll rate adjustments shall be implemented in two (2) tranches, 2023 and 2024.
The 1st Tranche was implemented starting 03 November 2023.

Upon compliance with the publication and posting of bond requirements, the TRB issued the Notice to Start Collection for the 2nd Tranche on 01 August 2024. SMC SLEX Inc. and MATES recently notified TRB that they intend to collect the 2nd Tranche starting 19 August 2024.

Thus, motorists travelling from Alabang to Calamba will pay an additional P10.00 for Class 1, P20.00 for Class 2, and P30.00 for Class 3.
Those travelling from Calamba to Sto. Tomas, Batangas will pay an additional P2.00, P6.00, P8.00 for Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3, respectively.