DoTr postpones re-imposition of toll fines

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has once again postponed its plan to impose fines on drivers who violate loading regulations on expressways in Metro Manila and nearby regions.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the policy will be implemented next year.

The plan was supposed to be implemented on August 31 last year but was postponed to October 1 this year.

Bautista said the agency will ensure that its toll and traffic policies are aligned with the president’s goal of finding solutions to persistent traffic problems.

“The DoTr has the tools to address traffic congestion on major roads, but it needs time for in-depth analysis to ensure that the solutions meet the needs of drivers,” he said.

The Department of Transportation has deferred the implementation of penalties for violations of Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2024-001, the revised guidelines for all vehicles on toll expressways, until next year.

“The penalties could come into effect from January next year,” he said.

Penalties will be imposed for the following offenses: Failure to have a valid ETC device: PHP 1,000 (first offense), PHP 2,000 (second offense), PHP 5,000 (subsequent); insufficient load: PHP 500 (first offense), PHP 1,000 (second offense), PHP 2,500 (subsequent); and fraudulent ETC device: PHP 1,000 (first offense), PHP 2,000 (second offense), PHP 5,000 (subsequent).

The JMC, signed by DoTr, the Toll Regulatory Board and the Land Transportation Office, aims to enforce cashless toll collection by encouraging drivers to install radio frequency identification and maintain sufficient load when using TRB-controlled toll roads.