Instead, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista announced that the implementation of the revised guidelines for toll expressways will take effect on October 1, 2024.
(Contributed photo)
"We hope the concerned agencies and tollway operators would use the 30-day deferment to fine tune expressway operations and further intensify the public information campaign to enable tollway users to comply with the new guidelines," Bautista's office stated.
Under the new guidelines, fines will be imposed on those who do not have an installed electronic toll collection (ETC) device, have insufficient RFID load balance, a faulty RFID, or those who use fake RFIDs.
Also included in the guidelines, outlined in Joint Memorandum Circular 2024-01, are measures to strengthen the Land Transportation Office's (LTO) authority over tollway enforcers across the two tollway providers in Luzon.
"These revised guidelines should significantly improve traffic along expressways through cashless or contactless toll plazas," Bautista added in his statement.
Under the revised guidelines, which fall under JMC 2024-01 signed on August 1 by Bautista, LTO Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Executive Director Alvin Carullo, motorists entering toll roads without a valid RFID or ETC device, including faulty ones, will be fined under the "No Valid ETC Device" category, with fees as follows:
First offense - P1,000
Second offense - P2,000
Subsequent offenses - P5,000 per offense
Those exiting the expressway with insufficient balance will be penalized under the "insufficient load" category, with fees as follows:
First offense - P500
Second offense - P1,000
Subsequent offenses - P2,500 per offense
Those who use fake or manipulated RFIDs and e-cards when entering and exiting the toll expressway will be punished under the "Fraudulent or Falsified ETC" category, with fines as follows:
First offense - P1,000
Second offense - P2,000
Subsequent offenses - P5,000 per offense
The TRB stated that motorists who violate the RFID regulations make up 9% of toll expressway users, causing traffic at toll plazas.
