DOTr defers implementation of new tollway guidelines

Secretary Jaime J. Bautista of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is deferring implementation of the revised guidelines on toll expressways to October 1st, 2024. 

The revised guidelines, contained in Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) no. 2024-01 was signed last August 1 by Sec. Bautista, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Executive Director Alvin Carullo of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB). It was originally for implementation on August 31, 2024 after its publication in a major newspaper. 

“We hope the concerned agencies and tollway operators would use the 30-day deferment to finetune expressway operations and further intensify the public information campaign to enable tollway users to comply with the new guidelines,” said Sec. Bautista. 

Apart from updating the responsibilities of LTO, TRB, DOTr, tollway concessionaires and users, the JMC also imposes the penalties for lack of installed electronic toll collection (ETC) device or insufficient load balance of the Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), as well as strengthens the deputization by LTO of tollway enforcers of the two groups of tollway operators, among others. 

“These revised guidelines should significantly improve traffic along expressways through cashless or contactless toll plazas,” added Sec. Bautista. 

In 2021, TRB moved closer to cashless expressways by designating only one exit lane for cash transactions at toll plazas (all other lanes for ETC) in compliance to a Department Order of DOTr. 

The transport chief is soliciting the support of tollway users by complying with provisions of the JMC that covers expressways under TRB’s jurisdiction.