Everything you need to know about the RFID

 

Traveling to and from Manila means you will be traversing the expressways often. Vehicle owners are encouraged to apply for an Easytrip RFID or Autosweep RFID to go cashless and prevent inconveniences and long lines.

To date, some expressways still accept cash transactions, but the goal is to go cashless in all expressways eventually. 

What is an RFID?

RFID, or Radio Frequency Identification, utilizes electromagnetic fields to identify and track tags that are attached to an object. RFID is used in various systems, but it is more popularly known to be of use as tollways tags since 2015, when it was used to replace the obsolete ePass system as an electronic collection system in Luzon. 

There are two different electronic collection systems used in the tollways in Luzon; Easytrip and Autosweep. Read along to know how they are different.

 

EASYTRIP

Easytrip is provided by the Metro Pacific Tollway company. The Easytrip RFID is for vehicles traversing the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX). The tag is fixed to the vehicle’s windshield in an area where the lanes sensor can sensor them quickly, allowing users to drive through cash-free into designated (or mixed) Easytrip toll lanes. A toll fee is debited automatically from your account when you drive through toll gates.

Easytrip offers three kinds of RFID products:

1. A Tag
2. An RFID Sticker
3. And an EasyDrive RFID sticker tag

To subscribe for an Easytrip RFID, follow these steps:

1. Register for an RFID subscription through Easytrip’s website Home | Easytrip Services Corporation
2. Print out and present the reference number at Easytrip RFID installation sites

3. Top Up your Easytrip Card

An Easytrip RFID sticker requires PHP 500 as an initial load, while the Easytrip RFID tag requires a payment of PHP 2,000 (inclusive of the PHP 300 initial load). On the other hand, EasyDrive requires a subscription fee of PHP 400 (inclusive of the PHP 200 initial load).

Top up your Easytrip card here Reloading | Easytrip Services Corporation, using any of the different reloading facilities listed at https://www.easytrip.ph/faq.html#reload

The Subscriber does not need to present his/her RFID when reloading but will be asked to give his/her Account Number or his/her Card when reloading.

Each subscription shall be subject to the payment of the initial load amount to be pre-loaded at the beginning of each subscription period. 

A monthly SOA will indicate all the transaction charges on the account and are accessible at www.easytrip.ph through personalized login details. 

The Subscriber agrees and allows that the fee/s charged by Easytrip, with a service fee of P12 per transaction. 

4. Bring the vehicle to Easytrip/EasyDrive installation sites 24 hours after sending the online subscription.

AUTOSWEEP RFID

As for those traveling via Skyway, South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), NAIA Expressway (NAIAX), and Apolinario Mabini Superhighway, there’s the Autosweep system. Similar to Easytrip, Autosweep is an electronic tollway collection system that utilizes RFID for users to pass through the mentioned expressways smoothly and cash-free. Autosweep uses a sticker placed on the windshield of a vehicle. The toll fee is automatically debited from the driver’s account once they pass through Autosweep RFID lanes, similar to how Easytrip works.

To get an Autosweep RFID, here are the steps:

1. Download the Autosweep subscription form from the website Autosweep RFID | Forms
2. Print out the accomplished form and present it at any of the AutoSweep registration stations along with a valid ID.

3. Pay the initial load

Autosweep requires PHP 500 for Class 1 vehicles and PHP 1,000 for Class 2 and 3 vehicles. To check your balance, visit Autosweep’s website. 

Users can also check their balance through SMS through the following steps:

• Text AUTOSWEEP<space>BALINQ<space>Plate Number
• Send through 09178608655 for Globe or 09188608655 for Smart

The minimum load is Php200 for Autosweep, with a charge of Php10 per transaction.

Reloading Autosweep can be done via Petron stations, Shell stations, Bayad Center, SM Bills Payment Centers, and a whole lot more. For a complete list, click here.

4. Wait for Autosweep to be activated after 2 to 12 hours

REMINDERS:

1. When you run out of load

You will still be allowed to pass, but you need to reload at the next ticket booth. Motorists who pass the toll gate with insufficient load thrice may be subject to penalties.

2. Transferring an RFID to a different car

Each RFID tag is unique to the registered customer and vehicle. Those who don’t want to use their tag are required to terminate it by contacting the Touch ‘n Go Careline.

3. Use of the RFID

A fee corresponding to maintenance cost shall be charged against a Dormant Account. A monthly dormancy fee amounting to Fifty Pesos (Php 50.00) will be charged to Easytrip Account without prior notice, and such charges shall continue until such account reaches zero or insufficient balance, in which case it will be deactivated and subject to a reactivation fee and/or penalty fee amounting to Five Hundred Pesos (Php500).

Drivesafe PH provides a theoretical driving course that helps you understand the basics of driving in comprehensive detail. Drivesafe PH is the 1st LTO Accredited Online Theoretical Driving Course Provider, a social learning platform that provides accessibility to Defensive Driving Education to future Filipino drivers who would like to take the first step in Road Safety.

Keep in mind all the rules and regulations, as well as the violations you may incur before driving, so you can avoid any mishaps in the future.