![Autosweep or Easytrip? Which expressway uses which? 01]()
In August 2020, the Department of Transportation mandated expressways to use Electronic Toll Collection using RFID tags to lessen human contact and improve tollbooth congestion during the first year of the pandemic.
During that time, countless vehicles lined up to get RFID stickers, motorists had difficulty filling up forms, and systems were overwhelmed with misread RFID tags. However, two years after RFID payment at toll booths has been forced upon us, there are many Filipinos who still opt to pay cash at the toll booth rather than loading up.
Is paying cash at the toll booth easier than loading up your RFID?
To start with, loading up an RFID account is not a hard thing to do, especially at this time when it’s much easier with the system providers' apps, top-up kiosks, convenience stores, cash apps, and online bank transfers. However, no matter how easy it may seem for many of us, some sectors still prefer the cash payment option because of cash flow and budget issues. Some even say loading up an RFID account is much more confusing than paying cash every time they pass the toll booth. And for others, some habits are just hard to break.
How could loading up an RFID be confusing for others?
The country's RFID system confuses those who prefer paying cash at toll booths. Aside from not being fond of electronic transactions and wireless payment, they say it is difficult to remember which expressways use Autosweep and Easytrip.
If you are coming from Cavite and wish to go to Baguio, for example, you will pass through multiple expressways from the south to the north. So, to avoid confusion, let’s get it straight. What RFID systems do the expressways use?
Autosweep
South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)
NAIA Expressway (NAIAX)
Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway)
Skyway
Skyway Stage 3
Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX)
Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX)
Easytrip
North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)
Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)
Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX)
Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX)
C5 South Link
Can Autosweep and Easytrip merge to avoid confusion?
Well, yes, it can be done. To know how to, check out this story. However, there are still limitations considering that these RFID systems are operated by different companies — San Miguel Corporation and the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation. So, that gives an idea of how difficult merging into a common RFID system could be, and the coordination required to make it possible would take time. But this process is currently underway.
We remain hopeful that the day will come when a single unified account for Autosweep and Easytrip with one sticker will become the norm.
Reminders
Always remember that checking your RFID balance is not just recommended but necessary to avoid any problems on every expressway. Doing so will prevent hassling other motorists at the toll booths.
To check your Autosweep balance, log on to https://autosweeprfidapps.com/balanceinquiry/ to keep track. You can also send an SMS text with the following format: AUTOSWEEP BALINQ Vehicle's plate number-ABC123 to GLOBE 0917-8608655/ SMART 0918-8608655.
https://www.easytrip.ph/sms-balance-inquiry-faqs to find out how you can check your Easytrip balance. Or you can text BAL 12-digit Easytip account number and send it to 0919-1601553.
There are also different ways to top up online or over the counter, either at gas station automated kiosks and reloading booths or in your neighborhood 7-Eleven convenience store. Of course, paying cash at the toll booth is still allowed.
If you have questions or need assistance with Autosweep, you can learn more by checking out their website: https://autosweeprfid.com/v4/web/ For Easytrip concerns; you can refer to: https://www.easytrip.ph/.
