Senator Win Gatchalian called on the management of major tollways in the country to ensure the swift passage of vehicles amid an expected traffic build-up on January 2 before regular work and classes resume the next day.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has earlier made pronouncements on the expected influx of vehicles from the provinces to Metro Manila. MMDA authorities have also been advising motorists to expect monstrous traffic jams along major thoroughfares in the metropolis after the holiday season.
“Kailangang siguruhin na magiging madali sa mga biyahero ng major tollways ang daloy ng trapiko pabalik ng Metro Manila mula sa mga probinsya at maiwasan ang system glitch sa Radio Frequency identification (RFID) cards sa anumang Easytrip at Autosweep stations,” Gatchalian said.
He noted that while motorists report better experience in using major tollways such as the South Expressway, North Expressway, Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX), and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway SCTEX), among other expressways, some complain of delays due to build-up in certain tollgates.
Further, Gatchalian also called on the management of these tollways to expedite the implementation of the Phase 3 of the government’s Toll Interoperability Project which would enable motorists to use only one RFID sticker in major expressways.
The first phase of the toll interoperability project involves the readability of Autosweep tags by the Easytrip system using two accounts while the second phase involves the use of two RFID wallets for payments at specific toll plazas but with a single RFID sticker readable by sensors at different tollgates.
The third and final phase of the project involves the implementation of a single RFID sticker for all expressways and only one wallet for toll payments.
“We need to make travel less stressful and easier for our motorists, especially with the need to boost local tourism to pump prime the local economy and support sustained economic growth,” he added.
