SMC Infrastructure, a unit of San Miguel Corp., said Thursday it is ready to implement cashless and contactless payment system along its expressways after the government directed toll operators to conduct a two-month dry-run.
“We support the DOTr’s [ Department of Transportation] and the TRB’s [Toll Regulatory Board] move to make toll collection purely cashless. We believe this move will significantly reduce traffic congestion and waiting times at toll plazas and contribute to a smoother and safer travel experience,” San Miguel president and chief executive Ramon Ang said.
The DOTr, through the TRB, will conduct a dry-run starting Sept. 1 to test the readiness of concessionaires for a smooth and efficient reimplementation of the program.
The infrastructure unit of San Miguel, which operates several toll expressways in Luzon, said it started transitioning mixed lanes—or cash-accepting lanes—at select toll plazas and exits, to allow for only cashless transactions.
“Our teams are already installing and calibrating RFID scanners and related equipment. We will do everything necessary to ensure that the implementation will go smoothly. If in the course of the dry run period any adjustments have to be made, we will also be ready,” Ang said.