San Miguel Corp., (SMC) targets to operate a total of 156 radio frequency identification (RFID) installation stations by the end of the month in support of the government-mandated electronic toll collection system.
SMC operator of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), Skyway, NAIA Expressway, and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) reported opening a total of 42 new stations in the last two weeks, in addition to the 53 stations it had as of November, bringing the current total to 95 stations.
An additional 61 outlets, mostly off-site, are in process and will open by end of December.
SMC said currently, most of the active stations are located at its expressways, namely STAR, SLEX, Skyway, NAIAx, and TPLEX, with others located at gas stations, customer service centers, and transport terminals.
But to provide convenience to even more motorists, especially non-frequent users of SMC’s expressways, SMC said nearly all of the 61 remaining outlets to be opened will be located outside the expressways.
These include new installation stations at more gas stations, transport terminals, malls, home builder complexes, local government offices, Land Transportion Office (LTO) facilities, churches and major arenas.
SMC said its Autosweep system, used in STAR, SLEX, Skyway, NAIAX, and TPLEX, has a 98 percent read rate and a detection range of up to five meters–resulting in faster and more reliable throughput at toll plazas.
The system is also equipped with “real-time” loading, which means that even if a motorist is only able to load shortly before entering the toll plaza, the load will be credited in real time, further minimizing delays and traffic congestion.
