Toll Fee Increase Greets Motorists

MANILA, Philippines –  After the long and refreshing Christmas break, motorists traveling to and from the Northern and Southern parts of Luzon were greeted not only by the snarling traffic and relentless fuel price hikes but a whopping increase in toll fees as well.

As people boarded their private cars, vans or buses back to work, operators of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) and Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEx) adjusted their rates effective last January 1, 2011. This happened as the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) granted these operators provisional authority to implement the new toll rates even as public hearings are set to continue.

In the case of the 94.5-kilometer NLEx, the new rates for Class 1 or light vehicles from Balintawak to Bocaue is P41 while after Bocaue, the rate is effectively P2.38 per kilometer up to Tarlac in the SCTEx and westward to Subic through the SFEx. Operator Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) reiterated that even with the increase, this is still lower than the NLEx’s initial rates introduced in 2005.

On the other hand, the 36-kilometer SLEx is implementing a P3.02 per kilometer charge from Alabang to Sto. Tomas from its previous rate of P0.76. This equates to a 297 percent increase. As such, Alabang to Calamba will now be P106 for Class 1 or light vehicles. However in order not to “shock” motorists, SLEx operator, South Luzon Tollways Corporation (SLTC), has voluntarily given “discounts” from January to March. This means, the P3.02 increase will be hiked partially. In January, the price per kilometer is P2.68, P2.80 in February and P2.90 in March.

Both the NLEx and SLEx have implemented various improvements to the road system and as part of an agreement with the government, are allowed to increase their toll fees every two years to assure their return of investment as well as to counter for projected inflation rates. However, various parties including transport groups are contesting the rate hikes before the courts.