CLARK FREEPORT -- The NLEX Corporation, concessionaire of NLEX-SCTEX, is ready to implement its “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” motorist assistance program for the anticipated 10 percent surge in traffic volume on Christmas and New Year holidays.
The SMSK is the motorist assistance program of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) to ensure hassle-free travel during holidays in NLEX-SCTEX.
With the peak travel season expected to start by the third week of December 2018, NLEX-SCTEX traffic personnel will render extended working hours beginning December 14 for intensified operations. They will be prepared to assist motorists and closely monitor traffic conditions at Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, Bocaue, Luisita, Tarlac, and Tipo toll plazas as well as at the SCTEX Mabalacat ramps and NLEX-SCTEX fuel stations.
During the peak hours of December 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29, the Balintawak Toll Plaza will open a maximum of 28 toll collection points while Mindanao Avenue and Tarlac toll plazas will have a maximum of 10 and 28 toll collection points, respectively, to better accommodate motorists going to the provinces in the north. The Bocaue Toll Plaza will open 44 toll collection points during the same period.
Portabooths and portable toll collection handheld units will be used to lessen motorist waiting time at the toll plazas.
On December 25, 26, and 27, the Bocaue Toll Plaza will open about 50 to 60 toll collection points to serve motorists bound for Metro Manila. The set-up will be the same on January 1 and 2, 2019.
The entry lanes of Tarlac Toll Plaza will also be increased to 5 instead of the usual 3 to facilitate faster transactions during traffic surges. Toll tellers at the said plaza will also be ready to issue pre-encoded transit tickets to southbound motorists.
The additional toll lanes at Angeles (2), Mexico (1), San Fernando southbound entry (1) and San Fernando southbound exit (2) will also be operational in time for the holidays.
Free towing services to the nearest exit will be available for Class 1 vehicles from 6 a.m. of December 22 to 11:59 p.m. of December 23 and from 6 a.m. of January 1 to 11:59 p.m. of January 2.
The tollway company will also set up counterflow lanes in strategic areas to ensure smooth traffic flow in case of untoward incidents.