Fines for No RFID or Load on Tollways start Oct 1, 2024

[Rooster]

The implementation of Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-001, or the ‘Revised guidelines for all vehicles traveling on toll expressways,’ will now begin on October 1, 2024, instead of the end of August.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), which issued the circular along with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), announced the deferred implementation today, August 27. It was issued by Secretary Jaime Bautista of the DOTr.

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

“These revised guidelines should significantly improve traffic along expressways through cashless or contactless toll plazas.

No valid ETC device (no RFID installed or dilapidated RFID sticker)

• First offense – P500
• Second offense – P2,000
• Subsequent offenses – P5,000 per offense

Insufficient load

• First offense – P500
• Second offense – P1,000
• Subsequent offenses – P2,500 per offense

Fraudulent or falsified ETC

• First offense – P1,000
• Second offense – P2,000
• Subsequent offenses – P5,000 per offense

A show-cause order (SCO) will be delivered to the Driver-Violator, or to the registered Owner/Operator if the driver at the time of the apprehension was not identified. If the Owner/Operator fails to provide the Driver-Violator’s name as required by the SCO, then the motor vehicle shall be put on alarm until a name is provided, and shall also be charged an additional fine of P2,000 per violation.

If the owner of a motor vehicle ignores notifications to have their defective, dilapidated, or phased-out RFID sticker replaced, the vehicle shall also be put on alarm until a replacement RFID sticker has been installed.

If a motor vehicle is involved in three violations under JMC No. 2024-001 within a 12-month period, the subsequent penalties are:

• the motor vehicle may be put on alarm, or
• the driver’s license of the Driver-Violator may be confiscated, or
• the motor vehicle’s Certificate of Registration may be suspended for a period not exceeding 90 days, requiring the immediate surrender of its license plate

https://www.topgear.com.ph/news/motoring-news/dotr-deferred-implementation-tollway-guidelines-a2578-20240827

[scott h]

6 hours ago, Rooster said:

will now begin on October 1, 2024,

Any bets it will be delayed again? And again, and again 

[Gator]

On 9/5/2024 at 6:47 AM, scott h said:

Any bets it will be delayed again? And again, and again 

Probably. I can’t tell you how long I’ve seen the sign flash as you approach a toll booth warning about the fine for a low or no balance.  

It’s happened to me a few times. I don’t use the toll roads that often and can’t always remember what my balance is before getting on. It might help if they made it easy to check your balance online or via an app, but no, that would take common sense. 

Edited September 6 by Gator

[scott h]

23 minutes ago, Gator said:

It might help if they made it easy to check your balance online

I get a monthly usage and balance report via email. Plus at most tollgates (not always) the remaining balance flashes as I pass through the tollgate (again, not always, but most of the time). This is on RFID and easytrip tollways though.

[Gator]

8 minutes ago, scott h said:

I get a monthly usage and balance report via email.

For some reason I don’t get those emails. But I think you’d agree that having an app or online access would be easier.
 

8 minutes ago, scott h said:

Plus at most tollgates (not always) the remaining balance flashes as I pass through the tollgate (again, not always, but most of the time).

Maybe I should have been clearer. That’s what I mean, as you enter you see your balance. If it’s enough (over 500 pesos I believe) it flashes green. If the balance is low then it flashes amber.

So what happens (or will happen if they actually do start to enforce the rule) if I enter and say my balance is 450 pesos, which they consider to be low, but it’s more then enough for a short trip where the toll may only be 30-40pesos. Am I going to be fined? Sounds like I would be. And it sounds like they’re trying to force ppl to load their accounts with more than what is really needed. For occasional users like myself why would I want to keep a high balance on there? 

[scott h]

7 hours ago, Gator said:

which they consider to be low,

Ah, yes I see what you mean. Hmmm, as I understand it (and I have been following this pretty closely) a person will not be fined or forced to reload their balance at say 450p but WILL be fined at the gate if the toll is 150p and their balance is 99p. I have personally seen this happen more than just a few times. I have been behind a guy in the cashless only line, his balance is insufficient and a 50p bill is given and 1p change returned (even though there is a NO RFID line available), so the person either couldn't mentally keep his balance in mind or (most likely IMHO) did not want to wait in the rather longish cash line. The same goes for families with multiple vehicles. Again, I know of two cases where a family has two cars, but only 1 has RFID installed, so the husband drives the car with the chip installed and the wife drives the car without and carries the card with her and just delays all the cars behind her by handing the card over getting it scanned and having the card handed back. When I asked why not get them both RFID equipped, it is free after all. I get the normal shrug and "Why should I? then I have to keep track of two balances and spend my time getting the other installed, besides, nobody has said I can't"

8 hours ago, Gator said:

if they actually do start to enforce the rule

Honestly, I couldn't disagree with you more on this one (at this point, I would signal the waitress to bring us another round of beers). One of the most reoccurring themes on this forum is the lack of discipline in the average Filipino. Whether it be in their driving habits, trash disposal, load music at all hours, animal care or lack thereof and don't get me started on parking in the middle of the street, but it's ok, I have my emergency flashers on lolol. And here we have something relatively painless, being enforced by a private business to increase their business efficiency and it is going all the way to the Nations Senate and maybe even to the supreme court?

9 hours ago, Gator said:

But I think you’d agree that having an app or online access would be easier

Again, I my case I am the original luddite. The only reason I have a "smart" phone is to read Kindle books, (took me forever to figure that one out) I have never used an app, installed an app or have found the need for an app. I fact if you shouted, "Its an APP!" I would start looking on the ground to see where the snake it. 

 

[Rooster]

What will be the process to pay fines has not been identified? 

Will the fines be part of ones driver record similar to a seat belt violation?

I've experience my RFID failing and had to be replaced, what will they do in those cases?

the driver’s license of the Driver-Violator may be confiscated? By who? only the LTO can confiscate a Drivers  License unless there has been an accident then the PNP can.

Too many unknowns. Opportunities for corruption to avoid fines & penalties.

[scott h]

2 hours ago, Rooster said:

Too many unknowns. Opportunities for corruption to avoid fines & penalties.

Those are great questions, so I googled it and found this on the Top Gear web page (fairly reputable crew IMO)

Fines for lack of RFID, insufficient load begins August 31 (topgear.com.ph)

2 hours ago, Rooster said:

I've experience my RFID failing and had to be replaced, what will they do in those cases?

If the owner of a motor vehicle ignores notifications to have their defective, dilapidated, or phased-out RFID sticker replaced, the vehicle shall also be put on alarm until a replacement RFID sticker has been installed.

3 hours ago, Rooster said:

the driver’s license of the Driver-Violator may be confiscated? By who? only the LTO can confiscate a Drivers  License unless there has been an accident then the PNP can.

If a motor vehicle is involved in three violations under JMC 2024-001 within a 12-month period, the subsequent penalties are:

• the motor vehicle may be put on alarm, or
• the driver’s license of the Driver-Violator may be confiscated, or
• the motor vehicle’s Certificate of Registration may be suspended for a period not exceeding 90 days, requiring the immediate surrender of its license plate

3 hours ago, Rooster said:

What will be the process to pay fines has not been identified? 

A show-cause order (SCO) will be delivered to the Driver-Violator, or to the registered Owner/Operator if the driver at the time of the apprehension was not identified. If the Owner/Operator fails to provide the Driver-Violator’s name as required by the SCO, then the motor vehicle shall be put on alarm until a name is provided, and shall also be charged an additional fine of P2,000 per violation.

The only ambiguous part is what "put on alarm means"

[scott h]

On 9/5/2024 at 3:47 AM, scott h said:

Any bets it will be delayed again? And again, and again

What did I win, delayed until January 2025..............possibly