Big Relief for Motorists: No More RFID Minimum Balance Needed

In a move that brings relief to many Filipino motorists, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has scrapped the minimum balance requirement for toll RFIDs. Previously, drivers were required to maintain a ₱100 balance in their RFID accounts to ensure smooth passage through tollways. This change allows motorists to load just enough credits for their trips, providing a more flexible and convenient toll payment system. The update was announced by TRB Executive Director Alvin A. Carullo during a press briefing at the Palace.

Also read: RFID Fine Postponed Until 2025: What Motorists Need to Know

What motorists need to know about the RFID minimum balance

Carullo explained that the new system will allow drivers to top up their RFID accounts with the exact toll amount needed for a specific trip. This means that as long as the motorist has an RFID tag installed, they can continue to use the tollways without worrying about keeping a minimum balance. The change particularly benefits motorists who may have lower incomes and prefer not to tie up their funds in maintaining higher toll balances than required for short trips.

The previous system was burdensome for many drivers, especially in cases where the toll was less than the minimum balance requirement. For example, a motorist travelling through the CAVITEX, paying only ₱25 in toll fees, would still be forced to reload their account if their balance was less than ₱100. The new setup eliminates such inconveniences and allows drivers to reload only what they need for each journey.

While the removal of the minimum balance requirement is a welcome improvement, TRB data reveals that around 100,000 vehicles still lack toll RFIDs — representing 4.8% of the country's motorists. Among those who do have RFIDs, about 3.6% struggle with reloading their accounts properly, contributing to long queues and delays at toll plazas. To give toll operators more time to address these issues, TRB has also postponed the implementation of penalties for motorists without RFIDs or with insufficient balances until 2025.

Also read: CAVITEX Cashless Policy: RFID Payments Mandatory Starting September 14

With this new policy, the TRB aims to ease the financial burden on motorists and streamline tollway operations, making road travel more convenient for everyone. This shift comes at a time when cashless toll transactions are increasingly becoming the norm, and it offers motorists a more user-friendly approach to managing their toll payments.

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