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SMC Infrastructure Corp said a cashless toll collection system is needed to make the country’s tollways interoperable.

The company said it recognized the decision of the government to suspend the cashless toll collection scheduled on March 15. But the cashless toll collection is crucial in achieving the interoperability goal for all toll operators, which the government has been pushing for since 2020.

“A fundamental requirement for achieving this interoperability is the full adoption of cashless and contactless toll collection. Without a uniform cashless system, seamless integration between different toll operators cannot be fully realized,” said SMC Infrastructure, which operates SLEX, NAIAX and Skyway, among others.

The San Miguel Corp subsidiary also said that SMC Infrastructure as well as other players have been “working closely” with the DOTr to develop a system that would be beneficial to the public.

Meanwhile, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp, which operates NLEX, CAVITEX, CALAX and SCTEX, among others, said it would continue to invest P1.4 billion to upgrade all of its toll plazas. It added that almost all its toll booths are now capable of automatic license plate recognition.

The Pangilinan-led toll operator also said it would “abide” by the government directive.

Both SMC Infrastructure and MPTC said they remain committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to enhance the system for the interest of road users.

The Toll Regulatory Board said earlier that it is working with stakeholders and government agencies to ensure the interoperability of toll operators. But it must be implemented in phases, including the transition of toll collection booths to cashless as well as the crackdown on fake license plates.

In 2020, the DOTr announced that toll operators have agreed to test the interoperability of their RFID systems. Currently, MPTC uses EasyTrip RFID tags for its toll booths while SMC Infrastructure uses AutoSweep.

Once all toll booths are interoperable, motorists will only have to use one RFID tag for all expressways, which will ease congestion on toll plazas and lessen the time spent on the roads.

Recently, newly appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon suspended the initiative, calling it anti-poor.