Skyway Management: We will push through in making Sucat and Bicutan exits exclusive to RFID users

“Use the at-grade levels or the service roads.”

This was the pronouncement of the Skyway O&M Corp. (SOMCO) in a meeting with Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon last Jan. 18.

In a statement on his Facebook Page, Biazon recounted what happened during their meeting in his office.

He said he invited the Skyway operators and a representative from the Toll Regulatory Board for a dialogue on the said issue.

It can be recalled that Skyway SOMCO put up signs in their toll booths saying their Sucat and Bicutan exits will be exclusive to RFID users “soon”.

This raised an uproar among many motorists and caught the attention of the Muntinlupa representative who then called on the attention of the Skyway operators.

During the said meeting, Biazon raised the following points:

1. There was no consultation done by SOMCO with affected stakeholders.

2. There should be a study on the proposed scheme’s impact on the flow of traffic in the alternate routes that non-RFID users will be taking.

3. The plan is arbitrary and is a denial of service to a certain portion of the public, making it discriminatory.

Photo from Cong. Ruffy Biazon’s Facebook Page

He also mentioned the time when the Skyway management suddenly changed the toll collection scheme by the C5 area which “resulted in a monstrous traffic jam that caused a huge inconvenience to everyone using the Skyway.”

The mentioned scheme was then discontinued after deliberations in Congress.

“Our meeting was quite intense with the SOMCO officials and myself engaged in passionate discussion,” said Biazon, adding that there were times he could not contain his frustration with what Skyway is doing to their customers.

He then went on enumerating some salient points that came out during the meeting, namely:

1. Skyway management does not have a traffic impact study on how the scheme will affect the alternate routes.

2. They installed the signs even though there is no TRB approval of the scheme yet. It turns out they did it to compel users to get RFID.

3. They do not have any plan to put down the signages announcing the scheme to be implemented “soon” even though there is no TRB approval.

4. They have not conducted any consultations with stakeholders but claim that the signages were part of a sensitivity analysis. When I asked them what the results of the sensitivity analysis, they admitted that people are agitated and unhappy.

5. SOMCO maintains its position that non-RFID users will not be allowed to use the Sucat and Bicutan exit once the scheme is implemented (if it will be approved by TRB). They said non-RFID vehicles may use the at-grade level or the service roads.

6. I raised the point of denying motorists the option of paying cash while using the Skyway, but they maintain their position that they will push through with the plan. We will have to get TRB to deny it if SOMCO doesn’t change its plan.

Photo from Cong. Ruffy Biazon’s Facebook Page

“I intend to pursue this issue in the interest of the general public. I believe that with the franchise given to SOMCO by the government, there should be equal access by all motorists,” expressed the congressman.

He added that any future schemes should always have the interests of their customers in mind.

He also intimated to Alabang Bulletin that the Metro Manila Development Committee in the House of Representatives will be conducting a hearing on Jan. 30.

Hopefully, something good will come out of the hearing and ultimately something good comes out for all those using Skyway.

Biazon said he will provide updates accordingly.