Traveling along expressways may be fast and hassle-free at most times, but premium comes with a price.
Motorists using the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) will be paying higher toll rates starting June 1, 2022.
The SCTEX announced that the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has approved their petition for an adjustment of P0.78 per kilometer beginning on Wednesday.
In a statement, the SCTEX said the toll increase—following regulatory procedure and review—confirmed the periodic rate adjustments due in 2017.
Public utility buses, however, will be provided toll subsidies and excluded from the new rates in the next three months, according to SCTEX.
Following is the SCTEX’s new toll matrix:
Mabalacat City to Tarlac (Class 1 vehicles)—additional P31.00
Mabalacat City to Tarlac (Class 2 vehicles)— additional P61.00
Mabalacat City to Tarlac (Class 2 vehicles)—additional P92.00
Travel between Mabalacat City and Tipo, Hermosa, Bataan (near Subic Freeport)
—Class 1: additional P49.00
—Class 2: additional P98.00
—Class 3: additional P147.00
On the other hand, the TRB-approved new toll rates for the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex) took effect last May 22.
Following is the new toll matrix for the Cavitex:
P33 for Class 1 vehicles (from P25)
P67 for Class 2 vehicles (from P50)
P100 for Class 3 vehicles (from P75)
In a Laging Handa briefing on Saturday, TRB spokesman Julius Corpuz said the new fees were supposed to take effect on May 12, but the implementation was deferred as the TRB and the Department of Transportation allowed public utility vehicles to avail of the toll reprieve program.
This program would allow them discounts and rebates.
Corpuz said the toll hike was a granted petition from investors and toll concessionaires in 2016. He said that the transport authorities did not immediately grant the raise as they had to study the proposal and its effects first.
He also said the TRB understood how motorists may be negatively affected, particularly in light of the runaway fuel prices.
“However, we need to balance the interests of our motorists and our investors. The investors continue to fulfill their obligations, and we must continue giving the motorists the best service that they can have—safe, comfortable travels on our expressways,” Corpuz said.
He added that the toll rate hikes were essential to implement expansion and improvement projects that “contribute greatly to the economy.”
Public utility drivers with concerns over the toll hikes may enroll in a discount program. Enrolled provincial buses, for example, are not required to pay the new fee in the first month of the implementation.
In the next month, they get a 75 percent discount on the new toll fees, and on the third month, they get a 50 percent discount.
