MANILA, Philippines—Skyway operator Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. will defer the implementation of the elevated highway’s new toll rates by one day so as not to create confusion among motorists.
The company said that instead of doing it as originally planned, it will start charging the new rates on Tuesday, April 26, so as not to catch motorists coming home from their Easter vacations in the provinces on Monday by surprise.
“They took into consideration that some motorists will go back to Manila from the provinces [on Monday]... the deferment of rates will be done to avoid confusion and surprises for those who are not yet aware of the new rates,” Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) spokesman Julius Corpuz said.
Earlier this week, the TRB approved the initial toll rates for the recently completed section of the Metro Manila Skyway that extends to Sucat and Alabang from Bicutan.
For Skyway’s elevated portion, Class 1 vehicles (cars and jeepneys) will have to pay P65 from Makati to Bicutan, P41 more to get to Sucat and an additional P41 from Sucat to Alabang for a total of P147.
At the Skyway’s ground level, Class 1 vehicles will pay P44 from Magallanes to Bicutan, P31 more to Sucat and another P31 to Alabang for a total of P106.
The rates are multiplied by two for Class 2 vehicles (light trucks and buses) and by three for Class 3 vehicles (heavy trucks).
The rate for Skyway replaces the current “open system” used on the elevated portion, wherein Class 1 vehicles pay a flat rate of P85 for the entire length. The extension of Skyway all the way to Alabang was opened earlier this month.
The rates approved by the TRB are lower by 13 percent than the rates proposed by Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp., which operates the Skyway.
Motorists driving straight to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), which starts where the Skyway ends in Alabang, will have to pay toll for the highway that goes all the way to Calamba, Laguna.
The SLEx toll from Alabang to Calamba costs P82 for Class 1, P172 for Class 2 and P258 for Class 3 vehicles.
The Skyway will continue to remain free to motorists from the NAIA Terminal 3 to Makati and vice versa.
Meanwhile, the TRB also approved the initial toll rate for the extension of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project, commonly known as the Coastal Road.
The TRB said the new R-1 extension of Coastal Road, from Zapote, Las Piñas, to Kawit, Cavite, will have a toll of P58 for Class 1, P116 for Class 2 and P174 for Class 3 vehicles. The new toll on the Coastal Road will start on May 1.
The TRB said groups may file petitions to have the rates reviewed within a period of 90 days from the date of publication of the notices.
