MPCALA Holdings Inc said it entered into a partnership with Egis Projects Philippines, Inc (EPPI) to operate an electronic toll collection system for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway and Manila-Cavite Expressway, which will allow transactions of 1,200 vehicles per hour.
“It’ s a first in the Philippines which is system capable to transact 1,200 vehicles per hour …without any barriers. It is a big jump from the RFID (radio frequency identification capacity) of 700 to 800 vehicles per hour at present. Our objective in using this new Toll Collection System is for our motorists to experience seamless, fast, and reliable cashless transactions, making them spend less time on the road and more time with their families,” MPCALA and CAVITEX president and chief executive officer Luigi L. Bautista said in a statement.
“With Egis, bringing this technology to the MPTC tollroad networks, we will expect a more efficient travel experience, and also boost tourism, trade and commerce in the areas being linked by our thoroughfares,” Mr. Bautista added, referring to Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.
CALAEX is a MPCALA concession, while CAVITEX is the concession of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. wholly-owned subsidiary Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation.
EPPI president and managing director Jean-Claude Neumann said that the toll collection system will be a “breakthrough” in the industry by making transactions free-flowing.
“One of the advanced features of this ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system is the automatic license plate recognition solution technology which will help motorists experience uninterrupted and faster toll transactions. Through these unhampered transactions, we can lessen their travel time,” Mr. Neumann added.
According to MPTC, the system will be installed in phases as each section of CALAEX is completed and become operational, while upgrades will be conducted by CAVITEX to its existing system.
The new system will be designed to be compatible and interoperable with other toll roads’ ETC systems, MPTC said.
CAVITEX is currently being expanded by MPTC with the construction of a 7.7-kilometer C5 South-Link which will traverse Taguig, Las Piñas, and Parañaque.
CALAEX is a 45-km road between Mamplasan, Laguna connecting to CAVITEX in Kawit. The Laguna section is expected to be opened by December.
MPTC is the tollways unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC). MPIC is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., others being PLDT, Inc. and Philex Mining Corp. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio

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