BY ALEXANDRIA SAN JUAN
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has moved the full implementation of cashless toll collections on expressways from Nov. 2 to Dec. 1, following the clamor of motorists who have yet to install RFID stickers on their vehicles.
This will give motorists at least a month to comply with the DoTr directive to only use a cashless mode of payment when entering toll roads as the new deadline will no longer be extended, according to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).
In a statement on Wednesday, TRB Executive Director Abraham Sales said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade gave the green light to extend the mandatory implementation of the 100% use of electronic payment systems to give motorists, especially infrequent toll road users, more time to comply with the department order.
The move was also made to prevent the long queues currently being experienced at toll roads in the rush to get the RFID stickers, he added.
“But, mind you, this will be the last time that we will be extending. No more extension beyond December 1,” Sales emphasized.
The DoTr warned that motorists who will fail to conform to the government mandate after the set deadline will be apprehended and issued a citation ticket.
Meanwhile, DoTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor reminded motorists to make use of the extended deadline to have RFIDs installed in their vehicles as early as they can to also avoid overcrowding in installation sites. (Alexandria San Juan)
