Motorists using toll expressways will soon be required to use cashless transactions in order to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The agency said on Monday that the move will limit human interaction and remove traffic queuing and congestion at toll plazas and will complement other health protocols that are being enforced by the government such as physical distancing.
Contactless transactions will be implemented on South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), South Metro Manila Skyway, Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).
“We carry with us the burden of ensuring that our transport facilities will not be a transmission vector of the disease, while at the same time, providing an efficient system of public transport. With both tasks at hand, there is a need to strike a balance. Requiring contactless transactions is one of our ways of doing it. And in achieving the balance, naiintindihan natin na hindi laging magiging madali sa umpisa. If there will be initial inconveniences, let us look forward to the long-term benefit of it,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.