NLEX, SLEX toll to increase anew

MANILA, Philippines — Motorists using the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) should be ready for another round of toll rate adjustments.

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) may approve in June the second tranche of rate adjustments, supplementing the initial hike approved last year.

TRB executive director Alvin Carullo said the next tranche of the toll increase would be the same amount imposed last year, noting that the agency divides the toll adjustment equally to minimize the impact on motorists.

An additional P7 for Class 1 vehicles, P17 for Class 2 and P19 for Class 3 in the open system of NLEX was implemented in June last year.

Motorists traversing NLEX from end to end have to pay an additional P33 for Class 1 vehicles, P81 for Class 2 and P98 for Class 3.

NLEX Corp. asked for the toll hikes to recover its authorized increases in 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2020.

Meanwhile, for motorists using SLEX, Carullo said the second half of the toll increase would be implemented before the end of the year.

SLEX had earlier collected an additional P10 for Class 1 vehicles, P20 for Class 2 and P30 for Class 3 traveling between Alabang in Muntinlupa and Calamba in Laguna.

It also charged P4 more for Class 1, P6 for Class 2 and P8 for Class 3 for those using the Calamba to Sto. Tomas, Batangas section.

However, Carullo said the TRB may also postpone the second tranche of toll increases to protect motorists from inflationary pressures.