Skyway O&M Corp., a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp., said Monday public utility buses and closed van delivery trucks will again be able to use the elevated Skyway system starting April 1, paving the way for faster, more efficient commutes and transport of goods between northern and southern Metro Manila.
SOMCO’s announcement came after the completion of major construction works.
All Class “2” vehicles—primarily buses and closed vans exceeding 7 feet in height and with valid Autosweep RFID stickers—will be allowed on the entire elevated Skyway system, comprising of Skyway 1, 2 and 3.
These types of vehicles were temporarily restricted from using the Skyway for safety reasons, as the construction of the South Luzon Expressway elevated extension in Muntinlupa necessitated the use of a temporary steel access ramp at the Alabang Viaduct. The steel ramp, which was in use for around two years, was only intended for light vehicles.
It said with the lifting of the restriction, buses can enter and pass through the Skyway elevated sections spanning Alabang to Bicutan (Stage 2), Bicutan to Buendia (Stage 1) and Buendia to Balintawak (Stage 3). They can also access the new SLEX elevated extension and NAIA Expressway.
“With the reopening of the Skyway to public buses and select transport trucks, we’re hopeful that many of our countrymen from both north and south can benefit from the convenience provided by the entire Skyway system,” said SMC president Ramon Ang.
“This is an option for commuters as well as public transport services, who would like to have a faster, more direct, or even point-to-point access to their destinations. This will also help to further decongest our public roads, given that we are now back to pre-pandemic levels of traffic,” he said.
Ang said that in anticipation of the Skyway’s reopening to public buses, careful and extensive planning was done to ensure the preparedness of Skyway plazas, toll booths, patrols and SOMCO staff prior to its implementation.
Strict rules will be imposed to maintain smooth traffic flow and ensure the safety of all Skyway motorists, he said.