MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has suspended the planned shift to fully cashless toll collection, citing concerns that the system would disproportionately affect lower-income motorists.

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) had announced that all toll payments would go cashless starting March 15, requiring drivers to install radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on their vehicles.

However, newly appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the TRB to halt the implementation, arguing that the system would be burdensome for those struggling financially.

“I’ve already told TRB to suspend that,” Secretary Dizon said in a press briefing on Friday, February 21.

Concerns Over Accessibility

The proposed system would have eliminated cash lanes from tollways, requiring drivers to load funds into digital wallets in advance. Dizon, who assumed office this week, warned that this could create difficulties for motorists living paycheck to paycheck.

“Having a cashless system is not pro-poor. It is anti-poor,” Sec. Dizon said.

“Kayo siguro dito, kaya niyo mag-load sa Easytrip tsaka sa AutoSweep ng P2,000, P3,000, P5,000. Pero paano yung mga kababayan natin na sagad-sagad ang budget? Di ba? Hindi sila makaka-load,” Dizon added.

Unused toll credits are stored in digital wallets, but the Transportation Secretary noted that some motorists might forget to top up before traveling.

“Ibig sabihin, pag-cashless, anong gagawin niya? Kalbaryo na naman ’yun. Pagpapahirap na naman sa tao ’yun,” Dizon stressed.

Previous Attempts and Future Plans

A fully cashless toll system was briefly implemented in 2020 but was met with technical issues and long queues, prompting authorities to reintroduce cash lanes.

The TRB had argued that a return to cashless tolling would improve efficiency, as only 3% of motorists still use cash. Under its original plan, drivers without RFIDs would have been allowed to pass through toll plazas but would have been required to install a sticker and could face penalties for non-compliance.

Toll operators Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. and San Miguel Corp. have supported the policy, saying it would create a “faster, more efficient, and seamless toll experience.”

However, Secretary Dizon said he would work with operators to reassess the system before deciding on any future implementation.

“The need to regulate should not result in making the lives of people difficult,” he said.

📷 RTVM