TRB official proposes P44 SLEX toll fee discount for Class 1 vehicles

A Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) official proposed a P44-peso discount for Class 1 vehicles, such as sedans and SUVs, that ply the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) given the ongoing construction causing heavy traffic along the highway.

According to a Monday report by Mariz Umali on GMA 7 news program 24 Oras, TRB Private Sector Representative Raymundo Junia said the proposed discount would be applicable from Susana Heights to Sucat Road.

“Ang nakikita ko as a private sector representative ay nasa P44 ang dapat ibawas sa ibinabayad ng mga nagamit ng toll roads diyan. Parang ibinalik sa tao ang total na amount na ibinabayad para sa lugar na ‘yan na pinagkakaumpisahan ng traffic,” Junia explained.

At present, motorists pay a P49 toll from Susana Heights to Sucat Road.

“Ang day of reckoning diyan [was] the day of September 25 nung nagkaroon ng ‘carmaggedon.’ Ngayon, sabi ngayon ni RSA (San Miguel Corp. President and COO Ramon S. Ang) na December 1 ibabalik na sa [dating] traffic. Kung totoong maibabalik na ang three lanes at maganda na ang takbo, over 60 days ia-apply ang discount, parang retroactive siya. Para hindi na lugi yung mga tao,” Junia said.

However, while the TRB had agreed to slash SLEX toll fees, they had yet to decide on the final amount of the discount.

Discounts for Class 2 and 3 vehicles were meanwhile also being studied.

The board would reconvene and announce a decision on November 7.

Ang had previously said he would not agree to a discount but vowed that the traffic along the SLEX would be resolved by December 1. 

The SLEX is operated by San Miguel through SMC Tollways. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News