NLEX Corporation will be phasing out the battery-powered Easytrip tags that are being used since 2005 on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) by September 30 as it transitions its cashless payment system to the radio frequency identification (RFID) platform.
In lieu of Eastrip tags, NLEX Corp said that it will install free RFID stickers that will be mounted on a vehicle’s windshield or headlight. The RFID sticker with a microchip will replace the Easytrip tag which will no longer be usable after the phase out. NLEX Corp, however, said that any remaining account balance of Easytrip users will be carried over to the new RFID system.
Upon installation, NLEX and SCTEX RFID users will be able to traverse other Metro Pacific Tollways owned expressways such as the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).
Last May 14, 2020, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) thru the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s Memorandum Circular 2020-020, mandated all public utility vehicles plying the expressways to install RFID stickers in order to reduce the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus disease 2019 by adopting cashless transaction.
The company said that there are 24/7 RFID sticker installation sites at the NLEX Bocaue toll plaza (SB) Expansion Lane X01 and Balintawak toll plaza (NB) Customer Service Center Parking Area. Customers may also opt to install the stickers themselves thru the Stick-It-Yourself RFID which are also available online via Shoppe.
“NLEX is moving towards delivering high quality infrastructure, both physical and digital. We are fully supporting DOTr Sec. Tugade’s campaign to ensure compatibility with all other expressways while continuing to promote the health and safety of our motorists amidst this health crisis,” NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista said.
Onsite RFID sticker installation is also available Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Balintawak toll plaza Lane N08, Mindanao Ave. (NB) entry, Karuhatan (WB) entry, Balagtas Easytrip Tent, Angeles Easytrip Tent, as well as in the rest and refuelling areas: NLEX Drive and Dine Valenzuela, Petron Marilao, Petron Bocaue, Shell Burol, and Petron Lakeshore.
Easytrip transponder customers may also have their free RFID stickers installed at Tabang and San Fernando Customer Service Centers from Monday to Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., as well as Clark South and Tarlac installation sites from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., respectively.
Meanwhile, RFID sticker installation sites at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan operate from Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Additionally, customers can also get their Stick-It-Yourself RFID stickers in select NLEX-SCTEX toll booths in Mindanao, Valenzuela southbound, Meycauayan southbound, Marilao southbound, Bocaue Barrier, Bocaue Interchange southbound, Balagtas, Tabang, San Fernando northbound, Sta. Ines, Concepcion, Dinalupihan, and Tarlac as well as in NLEX Customer Service Centers in Balintawak, and Valenzuela, from Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tabang and San Fernando from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Easytrip transponder users have to authorize the transfer of their account balance to the RFID account by filling out the load balance transfer form at the installation sites or by downloading the form from www.easytrip.ph and sending it to [email protected].
For RFID reloading, motorists may choose to reload via the Easytrip mobile application and online reloading partners such as PayMaya, Eon, GCash, Bancnet, Mastercard, Visa, UCPB, BPI, Metrobank, BDO, Coins.ph, and Smart Money.