DOTr quick to defer “No RFID, insufficient load” penalty implementation to October 1, 2024
Fresh from its announcement, the TRB’s new guidelines governing the “No RFID, insufficient load” penalties have been deferred. In a statement from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Secretary Jaime Bautista has moved the implementation and enforcement of the new policy to October 1, 2024, from what was originally scheduled on August 31, 2024.
More preparations needed before new RFID rules on tollways and expressways are implemented
Photo: Toll Regulatory Board
Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) no. 2024-01 was signed by Sec. Bautista, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Executive Director Alvin Carullo on August 1 this year. The revised guidelines found in the JMC indicate penalties for RFID-related offenses ranging from motor vehicles not having them, damaged or dilapidated tags, and even fraudulent use of tags.
However, the DOTr Secretary has backpedaled on the new policy’s implementation.
“We hope the concerned agencies and tollway operators would use the 30-day deferment to finetune expressway operations and further intensify the public information campaign to enable tollway users to comply with the new guidelines,” said Sec. Bautista.
“These revised guidelines should significantly improve traffic along expressways through cashless or contactless toll plazas,” he added.
Alongside the imposition of penalties for erring motor vehicle owners, the JMC also updated the expectations from and responsibilities of the LTO, TRB, DOTr, and tollway concessionaires and strengthened the deputization of tollway enforcers of the two groups of tollway operators by the LTO as well.
2021 saw the advent of cashless tollway payments with the use of RFID and was seen when the TRB began assigning only one lane for cash-based transactions at toll plazas; this follows a Department Order issued by the DOTr at the time.
As it stands, motor vehicle owners must have RFID tags installed, and those who do have them but are already in a damaged state will have to have them replaced. In both instances, it’s good to remember to always have your RFID accounts topped-up when you plan to use the expressways for your travels.
As always, consider yourselves informed and warned, ladies and gentlemen. Those fines aren’t that cheap.
