Metro Pacific Tollways (MPTC) and SMC Infrastructure (SMCI) have agreed to suspend plans to make toll collection on their respective expressways fully cashless. Initially, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) directed the two operators to implement a ‘no valid ETC device, no entry’ policy, and drivers in violation would incur commensurate penalties.
This directive was set to take effect on March 15, 2025, but Secretary Vince Dizon, the new head of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), quickly barred the plan during his first media briefing on February 21. He called the policy ‘anti-poor’ and pointed out that if cashless toll collection systems are still riddled with issues, it will lead to traffic buildup at toll plazas instead of easing congestion.
On February 25, MPTC and SMCI released statements in full cooperation with the DOTr. That said, SMCI stated: “A key part of this effort [to implement a cashless system] has been ensuring full interoperability among electronic toll collection (ETC) systems across expressways. However, a fundamental requirement for achieving this interoperability is the full adoption of cashless and contactless toll collection.
“Without a uniform cashless system, seamless integration between different toll operators cannot be fully realized.”
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SMCI is the operator of the SLEX, Skyway, NAIAX, and TPLEX, while MPTC operates NLEX, NLEX Connector, SCTEX, CALAX, and Cavitex.
In his latest press conference, Dizon acknowledged the sentiments of SMCI and MPTC. He reiterated his stance on cashless toll collection, explaining that this policy should not punish motorists who fail to abide, nor should it infringe on their overall welfare. Dizon stated that he needs assurance from the TRB that a completely cashless system will not create a “carmageddon” along the expressways.
According to the TRB, as of February 2025, 97% of tollway users already use cashless payment systems. A completely cashless payment scheme was first attempted in December 2020, but never materialized. Since then, tollway operators have enforced and advertised other solutions to motorists to pay without physical cash. MPTC and SMCI both have mobile apps through which motorists can check and reload their RFID balance. Both Easytrip and Autosweep RFID stickers used by MPTC and SMCI, respectively, for their ETC systems are also free and require no maintaining balance to remain active.
