TRB to penalize no RFID, insufficient load starting August 31

Starting August 31, 2024, motorists who frequently use the expressways (tollways) will have to make sure that they have either Autosweep or Easytrip RFIDs with sufficient load as the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) will implement the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2024-001.

Under this new JMC, which was signed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the TRB, motorists without a valid RFID, including those with dilapidated RFIDs, will be slapped with a “No Valid ETC (electronic toll collection) Device” violation, with a PHP 1,000 fine for the first offense, PHP 2,000 fine for the second offense, and PHP 5,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.

The same amount of penalties for the first, second, third and subsequent offenses will be meted out to motorists with fake, fraudulent, or tampered RFIDs.

For motorists with insufficient balance, toll authorities would penalize them with PHP 500 fine for the first offense, PHP 1,000 fine for the second offense, and 2,500 for the third and subsequent offenses of insufficient RFID load.

TRB says that 9% of all tollway users have RFID-related violations and “are the ones causing the unnecessary delays and long queues at the toll plazas.”

Meanwhile, 91% of tollway users are compliant and responsible motorists but are often inconvenienced by the other 9% erring motorists, added TRB.

TRB maintains that the new Joint Memo intends to achieve a smoother and faster flow of traffic at the toll plazas, thereby saving time, money, and resources.