Heads Up Travellers! New Toll Guidelines Deferred to October

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced a 30-day postponement for the implementation of the new toll guidelines 2024, pushing the start date from Aug 31–Oct 1. This delay comes as the agency aims to give tollway operators and relevant authorities more time to refine expressway operations and bolster public awareness about the upcoming changes.

Also read: RFID Fine Enforcement Begins August 31: How to Stay Penalty-Free

What we know about the new toll guidelines 2024

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista emphasised that the deferment would help ensure a smoother transition to the new guidelines. “We hope the concerned agencies and tollway operators would use the 30-day deferment to fine-tune expressway operations and further intensify the public information campaign to enable tollway users to comply with the new guidelines,” Bautista stated in a press release.

The guidelines, part of Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2024-01, were signed on August 1 by Bautista, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Executive Director Alvin Carullo. These rules are designed to improve traffic flow by enforcing cashless and contactless toll plazas on expressways under the TRB's jurisdiction.

Key points

The revised toll regulations impose penalties for motorists who fail to comply with electronic toll collection (ETC) requirements. These include not having a valid radio frequency identification (RFID) device, having an insufficient balance, or using fraudulent devices.

• No Valid ETC Device: Motorists without a valid RFID or ETC device, or those with dilapidated devices, will face the following penalties:

  • First offence: ₱1,000

  • Second offence: ₱2,000

  • Subsequent offences: ₱5,000 per offence

• Insufficient Load: Those exiting an expressway with an insufficient RFID balance will be penalised as follows:

  • First offence: ₱500

  • Second offence: ₱1,000

  • Subsequent offences: ₱2,500 per offence

• Fraudulent ETC Device: Using tampered, fake, or fraudulent RFID devices will lead to fines:

  • First offence: ₱1,000

  • Second offence: ₱2,000

  • Subsequent offences: ₱5,000 per offence

These measures aim to curb violations, which the TRB says represent 9% of all motorists using toll expressways. These non-compliant drivers contribute to unnecessary delays and long queues at toll plazas.

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As the new toll guidelines 2024 approach their new implementation date, the DOTr and TRB are ramping up efforts to inform the public. Motorists are encouraged to ensure their RFID devices are in working order and to maintain sufficient balance to avoid penalties. For travellers planning to use the expressways this October, being prepared will be key to a smooth journey.

All image credit goes to NLEX | Official website