SLEX toll fees up by 320% starting June 30

The government gave developer South Luzon Tollway Corp. (SLTC) the green light to raise toll fees more than three times over prevailing rates for the right to drive through the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). Starting June 30, motorists would have to pay P2.70 per kilometer or roughly 320-percent more than the prevailing 82 centavos, as the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) had approved SLTC's proposed rates, Balitanghali reported Wednesday.
Under the new rates, motorists driving Class 1 vehicles or cars, vans, and other small vehicles through Alabang in Muntinlupa City to Calamba, Laguna will have to pay P77 from the current P21. Class 2 vehicles or light trucks and buses would be charged P155 from P43, and Class 3 vehicles or heavy and multi-wheeler trucks P232 from P65. Earlier, SLTC spokesperson Alma Tuazon defended the impending toll fees, saying that motorists were using the improved SLEX for over a year without any fee increase. TRB Spokesperson Julius Corpus justified the surge in fees, reacting to complaints.
"Dati nating karanasan na iyan na pagkatapos ng isang magandang proyekto ay pinapatupad po natin ang panibagong toll fee. Kaya po sila natataasan dahil nakukumpara po nila ang dating toll fee na sadyang [pinakamababa] sa Pilipinas. Itong dating toll fee ay angkop lamang po sa lumang SLEX na hindi pa naaayos at 'di pa napapaganda. Ito po ay panibagong toll fee na angkop lamang sa serbisyo at sa klase ng pasilidad na ibinibigay sa ating mga motorista." The SLEX rehabilitation, which cost roughly P11 billion, expanded the 1.2-km Alabang Viaduct and the 27.3-km road from Alabang to Calamba. It was funded by Malaysian investor MTD Capital Berhad. "Binigyan lang naman namin ng pagkakataon na iyong nagbuhos ng kanilang puhunan at hirap para mabago ang ating SLEX na mabawi nila at kumita ng kahit na konti man lang dito sa kanilang investment sa atin. Pero pagkatapos po naman niyan ay babalik po ito sa ating gobyerno nang libre," Corpus added. —VS, GMANews.TV