A PAPER-THIN battery-less sticker will soon be available as a more convenient way to pay for toll fees at both the North Luzon expressway (NLEX) and Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex).
The Pangilinan-led Metro Pacifi c Tollways Corporation (MPTC) has announced the introduction of the new payment option for motorists in the two expressways to promote greater travel convenience at a very affordable price.
Called “EasyDrive,” MPTC President Ramon Fernandez said the sticker device involves a new technology that utilizes a radio frequency identification (RFID) sticker tag and provides a high degree of security and product authentication.
Each EasyDrive sticker tag will be equipped with a unique tag identifi cation number to prevent duplication, he added. Fernandez said the sticker tag will eliminate queuing at the toll plazas as vehicles can go through the lanes without stopping for payment.
MPTC’s EasyDrive will be available in Cavitex starting May and at the NLEx in June. “It is part of the continuing process of research and development conducted by MPTC to ensure that expressway customers consistently get the most value from up-to-date products and services.
It will cost only a fraction of available tags in the market and will not require any replacement with proper care and installation,” Fernandez said.
Initially, there will be separate stickers for the two expressways. “The plan is to eventually put in place an interoperability system. This means one sticker can be used for both expressways,” Fernandez added.
NLEx motorists are currently paying toll either with cash or with an easy trip tag. Similar RFID sticker tags are now being used in tollways in the USA, Canada, Taiwan and in some parts of Europe.
MPTC is the holding company of Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) and Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC), concessionaire of NLEx and Cavitex, respectively.
