Friday, March 14, 2008 Arroyo orders 10% reduction in Slex toll rates
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) to lower the toll rates at South Luzon Expressway (Slex) by 10 percent to share with the motoring public the benefits of the country's improving economic conditions.
The reduced toll rates at Slex, covering the segment from Alabang, Muntinlupa to Calamba, Laguna, took effect last Monday. PNCC has the permit to operate and maintain this segment of Slex as approved by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).
Over 200,000 vehicles pass through Slex daily. It is the most important roadway leading to the bourgeoning suburbs south of Metro Manila and the key transport route for industrial goods coming from export zones and industrial estates, and agricultural produce from the Southern Tagalog Region.
PNCC reduced the toll rates from P0.84 per kilometer to P0.756/km. Effectively, the new rates for Alabang to Calamba now reflect a reduction from P24 to P22 for Class 1 vehicles or small vehicles; from P48 to P43 for Class 2 vehicles or passenger vehicles and six-wheeler trucks; and from P72 to P65 for Class 3 vehicles or container vans and 10-wheeler trucks.
Slex is in the midst of major rehabilitation works.
The Alabang Viaduct is being repaired to international safety standards. The Slex segment from Alabang to Sta. Rosa, Laguna is being expanded from four to eight lanes and the segment from Sta. Rosa to Calamba, Laguna from four to six lanes. Slex will also soon be interconnected with the Star Tollway for a seamless motorist travel up to Batangas.
Construction works have also started to extend the Skyway from Bicutan to Alabang.
Toll rates at Slex are the lowest among all tollways in the country today, even prior to the recent 10 percent toll reduction. The lower toll will also serve as a cost cushion to Slex motorists in the wake of rising global fuel prices. (Press release)
