NLEX boosts RFID use with facility upgrades

After the Department of Transportation has announced their efforts on toll interoperability, in the expressways, the NLEX Corporation revealed that they are also working with Easytrip Services Corporation in improving its electronic toll collection system, particularly its radio frequency identification or RFID technology. 

The initiative is aimed to promote contactless payments amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Currently, the NLEX is realigning and relocating the RFID sensors to make sure that it now has better read range. The said project covers a total of 100 lanes from Balintawak to Tarlac/Tipo, 72 of which are for the exclusive use of motorists with RFID stickers, while the 28 others function as mixed lanes which accept both cash and electronic payments. From the 15 lanes back in February, RFID lanes will now grow to 72 this month. 

Also, the NLEX Corporation is set to replace the lane status indicators to zwensure better visibility—especially at nighttime. Recently, NLEX improved the automatic entry matching feature in its toll collection system to reduce the processing of entry lane data from four hours to almost real-time. 

The upgrade of RFID web servers has been completed to accommodate the increasing RFID transactions and the modification of toll fare indicators in payment lanes to enable the display of updated balance for Easytrip prepaid accounts.

“We recognize the significant role of digital technology in enhancing customer experience and preventing the spread of COVID-19. Aside from promoting safety, the improvements in RFID would translate to faster and more convenient electronic transactions in our expressway network,” said NLEX Corporation President and General Manager Luigi Bautista.

Meanwhile, NLEX and Easytrip Corp. have  opened RFID lane installation and reloading sites in Balintawak, Bocaue, Mindanao, Karuhatan, and Angeles toll plazas; and reopening the installation and reloading sites at rest and refuel stations such as NLEX Drive and Dine, Petron Marilao, Petron Bocaue and Shell Burol. 

These are open from Monday to Saturday, 8AM to 5PM. The RFID stickers will be free of charge but an initial minimum credits of ₱500 for Class 1 and ₱1,000 for Class 2 and 3 vehicles must be paid. 

Earlier, Easytrip has introduced the Stick-It-Yourself RFID, where Class 1 motorists can order it online and have it delivered at the comfort of their homes. The Stick-It-Yourself RFID kit comes with a positioning guide, user guide, and card for reloading. It is also available in select NLEX-SCTEX toll booths in Meycauayan SB, Marilao SB, Bocaue Interchange SB Exit, Balagtas, San Fernando NB, Dinalupihan, and Tarlac. 

For more convenience, motorists may top up through the Easytrip mobile application and online reloading partners such as PayMaya, Eon, GCash, Bancnet, Mastercard, Visa, UCPB, BPI, Metrobank, BDO, Coins.ph, and Smart Money. Service fees may apply. Aside from NLEX-SCTEX, the Easytrip RFID can be used in other Metro Pacific-led expressways: CAVITEX, C5 LINK, and CALAX.

“Rest assured that our teams will strive harder to keep on providing the best service for our customers,” Bautista noted. 

Photos from NLEX Corporation

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