NLEX and CAVITEX hike toll rates (Sabong News)

Motorists using the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX) and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) have to pay increased toll rates, effective Thursday, May 12, 2022. Based on the new toll fee matrix (VAT-Inclusive) of CAVITEX, motorists shall now pay P33.00 for Class 1 vehicles from the current P25.00; P67.00 for Class 2 from P50.00; and P100.00 for Class 3 from P75.00. The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB)- approved the petition of operator Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC) and Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) for a toll hike of P4.62 Value Added Tax (VAT)-exclusive rate per kilometer for Class 1 vehicles; P9.24 for Class 2; and P13.86 for Class 3 vehicles traversing the 6.48-kilometers R-1 Expressway (from CAVITEX Longos, Bacoor entry to MIA exit, and vice versa) beginning 12:00 AM of May 12. **media[82284,82285]** The TRB also approved NLEX Corporation’s petition to increase NLEX’s toll rates by P2.00 per kilometer in the open system and P0.34 in the closed system, starting Thursday. Under the new NLEX toll fee matrix, motorists traveling anywhere within the open system will pay an additional ₱2.00 for Class 1 vehicles (regular cars and SUVs), ₱6.00 for Class 2 vehicles (buses and small trucks), and ₱8.00 for Class 3 vehicles. The open system is from Balintawak, Caloocan City to Marilao, Bulacan while the closed system covers the portion between Bocaue, Bulacan and Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City, Pampanga including Subic-Tipo. Those traveling the NLEX end-to-end between Metro Manila and Mabalacat City will pay an additional ₱27.00 for Class 1, ₱69.00 for Class 2 and ₱82.00 for Class 3 vehicles. The TRB approved the 2011 and 2014 contractual tariff adjustments toll petitions of CIC and PRA, as well as their add-on toll petition for Phases 1 and 2 enhancement works done in CAVITEX R-1 Expressway completed in 2020. In the case of NLEX, the rate increases were part of TRB’s approved periodic adjustments due in 2016 and the completion of the new Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) in 2021. The SFEX, partially opened in December 2020 and fully completed in February 2021, has a total of 16.4 new lane kilometers, two new bridges in Jadjad and Argonaut, and a new tunnel. To help cushion the impact of the toll increase, public utility jeepneys (PUJs) under the NLEX Passada and Tsuper Card discount and rebate program will continue to enjoy the old rates. Provincial buses will also be covered by a graduated rebate scheme for a period of three months. Similarly, the CIC and JV partner PRA will provide a toll rate reprieve to public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers plying the CAVITEX via a rebate program, allowing them to continue paying the old rates for the next three months.