MPTC to launch new toll payment option

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), a unit of infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), is looking at further increasing the use of electronic devices for the payment of toll fees in major expressways with the introduction of a new payment option within the first half of the year.

MPTC president Ramoncito Fernandez said the company is set to launch the new payment option called “EasyDrive” using a radio frequency identification (RFID) sticker tag in May or in June.

The new payment option involves a new technology in the form of a paper-thin battery-less sticker and would eliminate queuing at the toll plazas as vehicles can go through the lanes without stopping for payment.

Each “EasyDrive” sticker tag is equipped with a unique tag identification number to prevent duplication and is similar to those used in tollways in the US, Canada, Taiwan, and in some parts of Europe.

MPTC is the holding company of Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) and Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. (CIC). MNTC operates and maintains the 84-kilometer NLEX, the 8.8 kilometer Subic Freeport Expressway, and the 94-kilometer Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), while Cavitex operates the 14-km Manila Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex).

Fernandez said the introduction of the new payment option for motorists would increase the penetration rate in the use of electronic devices for the toll payments.

He said the penetration rate of EasyTrip in NLEX is around 22 percent, while that of E-tap in Cavitex is about 13- to 14-percent.

He added that the use of electronic devices at both the NLEX and the Cavitex would promote greater travel convenience at a very affordable price.

NLEX motorists currently pay toll fee either with cash or with an Easy Trip Tag, while Cavitex motorists use the E-tap system.

Fernandez said there would initially be separate stickers for the two expressways.

“The plan is to eventually put in place an interoperability system. This means one sticker can be used for both expressways,” Fernandez added.

NLEX booked a six percent rise in average daily vehicle entries to 173,067 last year from 163,362 in 2012, while Cavitex posted a nine percent increase to 102,280 from 93,700.

MPTC is spending approximately P41 billion over the next few years to complete the eight-kilometer NLEX Harbour Link, Citilink and Metro Expressway Link projects as well as the expansion of Cavitex.

MNTC already signed a joint venture agreement with state-run Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) to build the P18 billion four-lane elevated expressway called the Metro Expressway Link to connect the northern and southern toll road systems.

On the other hand, Cavitex offers significant expansion prospects as a result of the P15 billion Ninoy Aquino International Airport expressway and P35.4 billion Cavite-Laguna expressway.

MNTC is also awaiting the turnover of management of the SCTEX from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) as it plans to invest P400 million to integrate SCTEX with NLEX.

Rival diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is set to almost triple the penetration rate of the automated electronic payment scheme to about 80 percent from below 30 percent over the next two to three years with the introduction of a new electronic toll collection system last month.