DoTr postpones anew imposition of toll fines

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) has again postponed its plan to impose penalties on motorists who violate loading regulations on expressways in Metro Manila and nearby regions. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the policy would be enforced next year. The plan was supposed to be implemented last August 31, but it was moved to October 1 this year. Bautista said the agency would ensure its toll and traffic strategies align with the President's goal of providing solutions to the persistent traffic problems. "The DoTr has the tools to address congestion on major roads but is taking time for a thorough review to ensure these solutions meet motorists' needs," he said. The DoTr has further delayed implementing penalties for violations of Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2024-001, the Revised Guidelines for All Vehicles on Toll Expressways, until next year. "Penalties may take effect starting January next year," he said. The penalties will be imposed for these violations: No valid ETC device: P1,000 (first offense), P2,000 (second offense), P5,000 (subsequent); insufficient load: P500 (first offense), P1,000 (second offense), P2,500 (subsequent); and fraudulent ETC: P1,000 (first offense), P2,000 (second offense), P5,000 (subsequent). The JMC, signed by the DoTr, Toll Regulatory Board, and Land Transportation Office, aims to enforce cashless toll collection by encouraging motorists to install radio frequency identification and maintain sufficient load when using TRB-controlled tollways.