By Emmie V. Abadilla

MPCALA Holdings, Inc. (MPCALA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and concessionaire of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAEX), officially signed a partnership contract for a state-of-the-art Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system with Egis Projects Philippines, Inc. (EPPI).

The deal will provide an efficient way of paying for toll, which is set to be installed in all of MPCALA’s south toll network, beginning with the 45-kilometer CALAEX currently being constructed, and in the CAVITEX.

“It’s a first in the Philippines, a system capable of transacting with 1,200 vehicles per hour as they pass through without any barriers,” according to J. Luigi L. Bautista, President and CEO of MPCALA and CAVITEX.

This is likewise “a big jump from the RFID transaction of 700-800 vehicles per hour at present.”

“We are using this new Toll Collection System so motorists can experience seamless, fast and reliable cashless transactions and spend less time on the road, more time with their families,” he added.

The Egis technology to be used in the MPTC tollroad networks provides a more efficient travel experience. “It will also boost tourism, trade and commerce in the areas being linked by our thoroughfares.”

The technology of the toll collection system will enable each toll transaction as free flowing as possible, EPPI President and Managing Director, Jean-Claude Neumann maintained.

“One of the advanced features of this ETC is Automatic License Plate Recognition Solution, which will help motorists experience uninterrupted and faster toll transactions. Through these unhampered transactions, we can lessen their travel time,” says Neumann.

This is set to be installed in phases as each section of CALAEX is completed and become passable to the motorists, while CAVITEX will be having an upgrade to its existing ETC system.

Furthermore, its design is compatible and interoperable with the ETCs of other Toll Roads.