THE bottlenecks experienced during the maiden launch of the 100-percent cashless transactions program in all expressways in the country was a result of “birthing pains” that should be addressed within the next couple of weeks, officials said on Wednesday.
Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Executive Director Abraham Sales confirmed reports of traffic congestion in all expressways on December 1, when the implementation of the cashless transactions program started.
“These are what we call birth pains because it was Day One of implementation of cashless toll collection program. We expected this to happen because of the following reasons: we observed that there are a lot more motorists getting RFID stickers; then the long weekend; and then there are a lot of motorists that are going to the provinces without RFID stickers,” he said.
However, Sales said, he is positive that the situation in the expressways will improve in the next couple of days.
“The situation today, Wednesday, is much better. Hopefully in the coming days, the situation gets better— and then we will hit the target of 100 percent cashless transactions in all expressways,” he said.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope O. Libiran said the government continues to give leeway to motorists who have yet to have RFID stickers installed on their cars for cashless transactions.
Until January 11, she said, motorists without stickers will not be apprehended and will be allowed to use the expressways, provided they get RFID stickers on ground.
“We have decided to implement a transition period from December 1 to January 11 and still maintain RFID stickering lanes even after that. We think the net effect will still be the same,” she said. “The primary reason for pushing for the implementation of cashless transactions now is because we want to protect the health and safety of our citizens amid the Covid pandemic.”
The government is moving toward the digitalization of tollways with interoperability of payments systems as the last step.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes