Proposed NLEX, SCTEX toll hike under review

Motorists taking the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) can expect a higher toll if the Manila North Tollways Corp.'s (MNTC) petition for an increase is approved by government regulators.

The MNTC is seeking for a toll increase ranging between 16 percent and 21 percent, according to a report on "24 Oras" by GMA's Mark Salazar on Tuesday.

"Hindi naman ibig sabihin nun yung 21 isang taon lang na adjustment 'yun," said MNTC President Rod Franco.

At present, the toll that owners of Class 1 vehicles pay is P45. This fee will increase to P52.20 if the proposed 16 percent hike is implemented, and will reach P54.45 with a 21 percent hike.

For Class 1 vehicles traveling from Balintawak to Tipo Exit, the current fee is P408. With the 16 percent hike this will increase to P473.28 and P493.68 if the 21 percent hike is in place.

The P322 toll for Class 1 vehicles traveling from Balintawak to Tarlac Exit will rise by P51.52 to at least P67.62 once the petition is approved.

For its part, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has not issued a decision on whether or not to approve the petition. The Board, if ever it approves the toll hike, will also have to determine the cost that will be implemented.

The petition was submitted only two weeks ago.

"Ino-audit kasi 'yan e, all consideration to establish 'yung reasonableness nung rate," said TRB Executive Director Abraham Sales.

The MNTC was not allowed to increase the toll since 2013. This resulted to losses of about P4 billion in NLEX and P1 billion for Cavitex or Cavite Expressway.

On Tuesday morning, four lanes that cost about P218 million were opened at Bocaue Toll Plaza southbound.

The cost, MNTC said, was not taken from their revenue but additional capital.

The MNTC said they had to implement expansion projects even if they are not earning from the toll collected because from 2004 up to the present, the volume of vehicles traversing NLEX has increased by 50 percent as 220,000 vehicles pass through the thoroughfare.

Undas

Kiko Dagohoy, Media Relations Officer of the Tollways Management Corp., confirmed in an Unang Balita interview on Wednesday that there will be no toll fee increase on Undas or All Saints' Day.

"Wala pong pagtaas. Kasi nasa TRB pa po itong toll fee petition," Dagohoy said.

During holidays, like the coming Undas when people are expected to their respective provinces, a high volume of vehicles is expected or up to 300,000 during peak hours.

By the afternoon of Oct. 28 and morning of Nov. 2, officials are expecting a deluge of motorists that will pass through the NLEX toll plaza. —with Erwin Colcol/BAP/KG, GMA News