President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., together with San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, graced the launching of the One RFID program for the interoperability of expressways operated by SMC Infrastructure and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) at Kilometer 44 of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) in Calamba, Laguna, on Tuesday, October 21.
The long-anticipated interoperability of expressways operated by SMC Infrastructure and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) throughout Luzon is now complete, with both firms officially launching the One RFID program Tuesday in Calamba, in ceremonies attended by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
“We are proud to announce the successful completion of interoperability between our electronic toll collection (ETC) systems, Easytrip and Autosweep. This latest feature will directly benefit motorists who will register for a new ETC account, as they will only need one radio frequency identification (RFID) and account to travel seamlessly across the Luzon expressway network,” both companies said in a joint statement.
The One RFID program covers all toll roads in Luzon such as North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), NLEX Connector, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), CAVITEX-C5 Link, Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), Skyway System, NAIA Expressway, Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and the STAR Tollway.
Registering for the One RFID program is optional. Motorists with existing, separate Easytrip and Autosweep RFIDs and accounts may choose to join the toll interoperability program, but those who choose to maintain two separate RFID accounts, may also do so, the companies said.
This project was initiated by government through the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), in line with their mandate to improve the efficiency of the country’s expressway network.
The private operators had been working closely with government over the years, to make the vision of toll interoperability a reality.
“The road to One RFID was not easy, as it required extensive work on the part of all stakeholders. Both ETC providers made significant upgrades to their existing infrastructure to integrate their systems, while conducting rigorous testing to ensure smooth and seamless interoperability,” the firms said.
With the completion of the interoperability project, the expressway operators said their focus will now be on roll-out—making registration to the One RFID program more convenient and accessible—as well as continuous improvements to the system, to ensure overall better experience at the expressways for motorists.
“We express our gratitude to the leadership of the DOTr led by Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez and TRB Executive Director Jose Arturo M. Tugade for their steady hands in steering this project towards the finish line. Their valuable guidance helped us navigate the existing regulatory environment, which simplified settlement mechanisms, so that motorists can enjoy a smooth and secure experience,” the companies said.
The tollway operators expressed their continued commitment to support government initiatives, invest in world-class systems, and contribute towards a better Philippines for all.
