Despite an appeal to suspend the implementation of cashless toll payments at the country’s expressways pending the interoperability of radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday said the new scheme had been a long-overdue measure and could not be deferred further.
On Wednesday, Valenzuela Rep. Wes Gatchalian said the DOTr should consider delaying the implementation of the cashless toll payment system until next year, or until the Easytrip and Autosweep RFID systems being used in North and South Expressways, respectively, become compatible with each other.
While the interoperability of the two cashless toll systems is set to be completed next year, the DOTr stressed that the primary purpose of requiring all vehicles traveling on toll expressways to use RFID was to prevent COVID-19 transmission.