Motorists to pay higher tollway rates starting Oct. 1

New tollway rates for the country’s major highways are finally ready for implementation on Oct. 1 with the average increase settling at 9-11 percent after the rates were rounded down to avoid shelling out loose change, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said Friday. "Hindi puwedeng humigit pa sa labing-dalawang porsiyento ang adjustment. Katunayan, ang average adjustment is between 9 to 11 percent or something like that," TRB spokesman Julius Corpus said in an interview on GMA News’ "24 Oras." "Ang pangalawa po, inalis po ng ating pamunuan 'yung butal na sentimo sa toll fees," he added.
New toll matrices In a directive TRB executive director Manuel G. Imperial signed, the matrices of new toll rates already factored in the 12-percent VAT, which the Supreme Court upheld with finality. For example, the fixed rate for Class 1 vehicles from Balintawak to Bocaue exit on the North Expressway will go up from P41 to P45.92 including the VAT, but the TRB rounded it down to P45. The toll rate from Magallanes to Bicutan Merville via the Skyway At-Grade Section will be P49.28 — from the current P44 — rounded down to P49. At the Skyway At-Grade Section from Magallanes to Alabang, the new rates will rise to P118, from P106, for Class 1 vehicles; P237, from P212, for Class 2 (buses); and P356, from P318, for Class 3 (trucks). On the Manila North Expressway, the highest toll for cars and jeepneys is P218 at the Sta. Ines exit. On the Metro Manila Skyway, the toll at the Alabang exit is P164 for cars, jeepneys, pick-ups and vans. On the South Luzon Expressway, P96 is the toll for cars, jeepneys, pick-ups and vans at the Calamba exit. On the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, P67 is the toll at the Balagtas exit for light vehicles that enter the tollway at Sto. Tomas, Batangas. On the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, the toll to be paid at the Tarlac exit is P272 for light vehicles that enter at the Tipo entry point. Bus firms to seek TRO The TRB said the VAT from the toll proceeds will mean possibly up to P2.5 billion in additional yearly revenues. "Kung ano naman po ang malilikom na additional revenue ng ating pamahalaan dito ay makakasigurado naman po tayong magagamit sa mas magandang pamamaraan o sa mas malalaki pang pangangailangan ng ating taumbayan," Corpus explained. But the Southern Luzon Bus Operators (SOLUBOA) rejected the TRB’s rationale and argued that public utility vehicles should be exempted from the new and higher rates. The bus operators said they might be forced to cut down the number of trips to cope with the higher toll rates and rising cost of fuel. The group said they would stage protests next week and ask the courts for a temporary restraining order on the toll increase. "Kahit i-implement nila ngayon 'yan eh andiyan pa rin kami. Lalaban pa rin kami," Josephine Ladrillono, SOLUBOA's executive secretary, told "24 Oras." — With Rose Ann Dioquino/ELR/VS, GMA News