NLEX vows to fix RFID glitches

MANILA, Philippines — The management of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corp. has committed to ease traffic gridlocks at the Balintawak toll plaza caused by glitches in the implementation of the radio frequency identification (RFID) system.

In a meeting with Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan on Wednesday, NLEX chief operating officer Raul Ignacio vowed to reduce the waiting time at the Balintawak toll plaza by 25 percent this week.

The Balintawak toll plaza serves as the main artery to NLEX, with 24 booths.

NLEX president Luigi Bautista also said the management has submitted to the Valenzuela government it’s action plan to fix the technical problems brought by the cashless payment scheme.

NLEX officials and the Caloocan government agreed to conduct ocular inspection of the Balintawak toll plaza.

“We are expecting a surge in the number of vehicles, both private and public, that will traverse the Balintawak tollways during the Christmas season. There is a need to improve the cashless toll collections,” Malapitan said.

The NLEX management also committed to install additional handheld readers to speed up toll payments, improve the installation of RFID stickers and replace defective ones.

The company said it would increase the number of loading sites following complaints about delayed loading of RFID stickers and the wear and tear of stickers.

Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian thanked NLEX Corp. for reimbursing the fees accidentally charged to motorists in Valenzuela amid a toll holiday.

TRO out of the picture

The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is addressing the requirements for the lifting of the suspension of NLEX’s business permit in Valenzuela.

The filing of a petition in court for a temporary restraining order (TRO) appears to be out of the picture, the MPTC said.

The NLEX management said it has received Gatchalian’s letter outlining the conditions needed to lift the suspension order.

“As stated in our previous communication with the mayor, we have prepared action plans to address these concerns. We will reply to the letter indicating our clear and concrete solutions,” the NLEX said.

The company has committed to transfer the RFID sticker installation and account reloading at the Karuhatan and Mindanao toll plazas immediately to improve the flow of traffic in nearby areas.

“The NLEX management is one with the Valenzuela government and other local governments in Metro Manaila in taking concrete steps to alleviate the daily traffic congestion in the metropolis, especially as we approach the Christmas season,” the company said.

Palace backs TRB

Malacañang supported the call of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for the toll operators to improve services at the NLEX and South Luzon Expressway, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

Roque said the Palace would adopt the recommendations made by the TRB to address the monstrous traffic jams at NLEX caused by the cashless toll transactions.

“As the agency regulating toll roads in the country, the TRB should look into the concerns of the public in terms of improving the services of toll operators,” he said.

Roque, however, said there is a need to balance the interests of the NLEX Corp. and the authority of the local government of Valenzuela to issue and revoke business permits. – Richmond Mercurio, Christina Mendez