Two tollway operators on Monday announced the implementation of toll rate adjustments at the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway and North Luzon Expressway starting May 12 this year.
Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. secured an approval from the Toll Regulatory Board to implement the 2011 and 2014 contractual tariff adjustments toll petitions of CIC and Philippine Reclamation Authority and the add-on toll petition for Phases 1 and 2 enhancement works done in CAVITEX R-1 Expressway that was completed in 2020.
Among the enhancements done were the completion of asphalt overlay along the entire stretch of CAVITEX, provision of the Pacific flyover and left turn facility, bridge widening and its regular heavy maintenance works to ensure road quality and safeness for the motorists. These are now enjoyed by the 160,000 average daily motorists of CAVITEX.
The approved petitions would translate into P4.62 VAT-exclusive rate per kilometer for Class 1 vehicles; P9.24 for Class 2; and P13.86 for Class 3 vehicles traversing the 6.48-kilometers R-1 Expressway (from CAVITEX Longos, Bacoor entry to MIA exit, and vice versa) beginning 12 a.m. of May 12.
Motorists will pay the following amounts based on the new toll fee matrix (VAT-Inclusive): P33 for Class 1 vehicles from P25; P67 for Class 2 from P50; and P100 for Class 3 from P75.
To help public utility vehicle operators and drivers cope with the change, CIC and JV partner PRA will be providing them toll rate reprieve through a rebate program that will allow them to continue enjoying the old rates for the next three months.
The TRB also gave NLEX the go signal to increase its toll by P2 in the open system and P0.34 per kilometer in the closed system.
The adjustments, which followed regulatory procedures and underwent thorough review, were part of the approved periodic adjustments of NLEX due 2016 and the completion of the new Subic Freeport Expressway in 2021.
Motorists are enjoying safer and more comfortable journeys brought about by the new SFEX since it was partially opened in December 2020 and fully completed in February 2021. A total of 16.4 new lane kilometers, two new bridges in Jadjad and Argonaut, and a new tunnel were constructed for this infrastructure project.
Under the new toll fee matrix, motorists traveling anywhere within the open system will pay an additional P2 for Class 1 vehicles (regular cars and SUVs), P6 for Class 2 vehicles (buses and small trucks) and P8 for Class 3 vehicles.
The open system is from Balintawak, Caloocan City to Marilao, Bulacan while closed system covers the portion between Bocaue, Bulacan and Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City, Pampanga including Subic-Tipo.
Those traveling the NLEX end-to-end between Metro Manila and Mabalacat City will pay an additional P27 for Class 1, P69 for Class 2 and P82 for Class 3 vehicles.
To help cushion the impact of the toll increase, public utility jeepneys under the NLEX Passada and Tsuper Card discount and rebate program will continue to enjoy the old rates. Provincial buses will also be covered by a graduated rebate scheme for a period of three months.