Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) announced Friday it will provide free passage on its expressways during select hours over the Christmas and New Year holidays to ease travel for motorists.
The toll-free initiative will run from 10 p.m. on Dec. 24 until 6 a.m. on Dec. 25, and again from 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 6 a.m. on Jan. 1. The waiver applies to the North Luzon Expressway, Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway, NLEX Connector, Manila Cavite Expressway and Cavite Laguna Expressway.
To manage the anticipated surge in holiday traffic, MPTC has suspended all roadworks and lane closures from 6 a.m. on Dec. 19 until 12 p.m. on Jan. 5. The suspension excludes emergency safety repairs. The company also deployed additional traffic, toll and emergency medical response teams to ensure all lanes in major plazas remain open.
Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and MPTC chairman Manuel Pangilinan said the goal is to help motorists spend less time on the road and more time with their families. He noted that the toll-free period is a way of giving back to the public while providing a safer and more convenient travel experience.
Operational adjustments include the activation of express counterflow lanes on NLEX for Class 1 RFID-equipped vehicles, depending on traffic density.
These lanes will be available for northbound travel on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and for southbound travel on Sundays starting at 2 p.m. and Mondays from 5 a.m.
Other measures implemented by the toll operator include barrier-up operations at plazas and the provision of free towing services for stalled vehicles to prevent congestion during the peak travel period.
