NLEX toll cards to reduce traffic on 'Undas' break

MANILA, Philippines - Prepaid toll cards for Class 1 vehicles will be offered to North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) users from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 for more convenient and hassle-free travel during the All Saints’ Day break.

The plastic magnetic swipe card, called the NLEX Lakbay Norte Pass, will serve as the motorist’s entry pass instead of paying cash to the NLEX teller.

Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) president Rodrigo Franco said the NLEX Lakbay Norte Pass will help reduce traffic congestion and ease up queuing problems at the expressway before and after the All Saints’ Day.

Also the pass has an exact toll value for pre-determined destinations using NLEX and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

Three destinations have been determined where motorists can use the Lakbay Norte Pass: Balin-tawak/Mindanao to Dau (P218), Balintawak/Mindanao to Tarlac (P322), and Balintawak/Mindanao to Subic (P408).

Dedicated express lanes have been assigned for Lakbay Norte Pass holders at the Balintawak, Mindanao, Dau, Subic and Tarlac toll gates for faster transaction. The holder will just present the card to the teller before entering the expressway.

The card is non-reloadable and must be surrendered upon exit at NLEX or SCTEX. This will serve as the customer’s proof of payment for the entire passage. The cardholder will be required to pay in cash in the event that there is no Lakbay Norte Pass presented.

The card is valid for one-way trip only, either northbound or southbound.

Bobby Bontia, vice president for toll operations division, Tollways Management Corp., said interested motorists can purchase the Lakbay Norte Pass at NLEX Customer Service Centers in Balintawak, Valenzuela, Bocaue, Tabang and San Fernando, and at Easytrip POS booths inside the NLEX.

He added that it will also be sold starting Oct. 15 at the following Shell gas stations: Shell A. Bonifacio (Bignay St.), Shell Congressional (Barangay Bahay Toro), Shell Mindanao Avenue (Talipapa), Shell Mindanao Ave-nue (Barangay Bahay Toro), Shell Santolan (EDSA corner Main Avenue) and Shell Buendia (EDSA corner Gil Puyat Avenue).