Those clamoring to have interoperability between the two radio frequency identification (RFID) cashless toll payment system used at tollways should be happy that tollway operators are fast-tracking efforts to make this happen.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) reports that “toll operators and concessionaires signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) to jointly test the use of AutoSweep and EasyTrip radio frequency identification (RFID) cashless toll payments for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) and on the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and to determine the Read Rate Percentage.”
The MOA was signed by top honchos of San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC), NLEX Corp., and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC).
It calls for AutoSweep RFID stickers to be activated using an EasyTrip account, and an EasyTrip RFID sticker activated using an AutoSweep account.
These stickers will be mounted on 45 vehicles of different classifications.
In a press statement, the DOTr said interoperability testing will be conducted for 14 consecutive days with dashcams recording the proceedings at tollgates.
According to DOTr, the participants in the testing will submit the test transaction reports and dashcam video recordings to a steering committee for validation and assessment.
The steering committee will have five days, from the complete submission of the data collected to determine the read rate percentage or the system’s performance indicator when comparing RFID infrastructures.
The DOTr didn’t make clear what happens after steering committee reports its findings. But it is hoped that this will bring us to interoperability of the systems.
As it is, vehicle motorists, even those who rarely use tollways, must acquire both RFID accounts and stickers, which has proven to be really a great hassle.
One funny thing to note though. The DOTr said that toll operators had also signed an MOA in which they agreed to “timely, smoothly, and fairly implement the interoperability of the electronic toll collection (ETC) systems” when the Toll Collection Interoperability project was launched in 2017.
TRB speaks
The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) had been noticeably quiet all throughout the weeks when social and traditionally media were rife with reports of chaos and confusion at tollgates at sticker installation site as the day for full cashless tollgate transactions came nearer.
It may or may not be connected, but TRB finally issued a press statement reacting to the people’s complaints about the tollway RFID operations after Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian took it upon himself to sanction NLEX for the sufferings of his city that tollway operations are causing.
In the press statement the TRB said it was “poised to impose penalties, even suspend toll collection by Toll Operators who continue to violate the Implementing Rules & Regulations (IRR) in the implementation of the cashless/contactless transaction on toll expressways.”
The TRB said it was continuously monitoring tollway operarations and have brought the glitches it noticed to the attention of tollway operators for needed corrections.
The case of Valenzula City cancelling mayor’s permit of NLEX is “a matter between the City of Valenzuela and the NLEX Operator,” said the TRB, adding: “We have been assured that this is being given appropriate attention and hoped to be resolved very soon.”
The TRB said it had ordered tollways operators to implement the following: immediate replacement of worn out/defective RFID sensors or readers, equipment and tags or stickers; relocate or reposition rfid installation and reloading lanes that hamper traffic flow; maintain, improve and upgrade systems software; enhance traffic management, and improve customer service assistance.
BMW R18 arrives
The BMW R18 is now available in the country.
SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp., official distributor of BMW automobiles and motorcycles, said that with the local launch of the R18, BMW Motorrad has entered the cruiser segment.
The first ever R18 in First Edition trim stands entirely in the tradition of historical BMW motorcycles, both technically and in design, BMW Motorrad said in a press statement.
“The R 18 borrows from famous models such as the BMS R 5, shifting focus back onto the motorcycle essentials: purist, no-frills technology and the boxer engine as the epicenter of riding pleasure.”
The R 18 is powered by a 1802cc two-cylinder boxer engine rated at 91hp and 150Nm of torque.
Geely-BPI Family partnership
Geely is closing out the year with offering great savings and very affordable financing plans for its already very competitively priced vehicle lineup.
Geely has partnered with BPI Family Saving Bank on an Exclusive Partner Offer (EPO) promo.
The EPO offers low monthly payments terms for the CoolRay and the Okavango.
Geely also offers savings of up to P130,000 plus many freebies for its customers.
The promo is valid until the last day of the year.
Happy Motoring!!!
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Banner photo by Miguel de Guzman, The Philippine STAR
