SLEX, MCX hike toll fees starting Nov. 3

From pna.gov.ph:

MANILA – The toll fees at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) will increase starting Nov. 3, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said.

In an advisory, the TRB said the toll increases in both expressways would be implemented in two tranches, this year and next year, “to protect the general welfare, curb existing inflationary situation and to mitigate the impact of the toll rate adjustments”.

For SLEX, this is the first periodic toll rate adjustment for SLEX since 2011, following the petitions for an increase last 2012 and 2014.

Photo from CNN Philippines

Motorists traveling from Alabang to Calamba will pay an additional PHP10 for Class 1, PHP20 for Class 2 and PHP30 for Class 3.

Those traveling from Calamba to Sto. Tomas, Batangas will pay an additional PHP4, PHP6, PHP8 for Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3, respectively.

At MCX, the TRB said the hike in toll fees could have been implemented as early as July 31 this year when it issued a notice to start collection, but the new toll concessionaire deferred the immediate implementation as a consideration to the tollway users.

Meanwhile, a digital mobility solutions company on Monday advised travelers going to the country’s northern provinces on All Saints and All Souls’ Days and subsequent holidays to transition to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and get their app to avoid being inconvenienced as the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) go cashless.

Renée Funtanilla, MPT Mobility’s assistant vice president for Marketing, told the Philippine News Agency that motorists can get their free RFID installation at any Easytrip station and conveniently download MPT DriveHub in their mobile devices.

MPT Mobility is the digital mobility solutions of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), which also operates the NLEX-SCTEX.

Additionally, Funtanilla encourages travelers to download MPT DriveHub to get real-time traffic alerts in going to and from Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, travelers can also check RFID balance and reload instantly in the same application by linking their Easytrip RFID account with MPT DriveHub.

On top of the emergency numbers and kits, the MPT DriveHub also has a 24/7 emergency roadside assistance feature to help travellers safely off or back on the road as soon as possible. (With a report from Pot Chavez/PNA)