THE new private operator of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) is increasing its toll fees by about P250% starting June 16.
South Luzon Tollway Corp. (SLTC) said the Toll Regulatory Board has approved a rate increase to P2.731 per kilometer from the existing P0.82 per kilometer for class 1 vehicles.
SLTC said the toll board approved the fee hike for SLEX’s project toll roads 1 and 2 on May 19. The toll increase would be effective only upon the completion of the outstanding work, as provided in the certificate of substantial completion.
For completion are the toll booths/plazas on Project Toll Road 2 and installation of toll collection system and equipment. Target completion date is end-May 2010.
SLTC has widened the 1.2-kilometer Alabang viaduct and the 27-kilometer stretch of the SLEX from Alabang to Calamba. The former 29-kilometer four-lane expressway, which starts at the approach to the Alabang viaduct in Muntinlupa City and ends at Barangay Turbina in Calamba, has been widened to eight lanes from the viaduct to Santa Rosa, Laguna, and to six lanes from Santa Rosa to Barangay Turbina.
SLEX would also be extended by another eight kilometers from Barangay Turbina to Santo Tomas, Batangas, linking the highway to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, the main thoroughfare leading to the international seaport of Batangas. This will cut travel time from Manila to the South – specifically to Batangas Port – to half from three hours to one and a half.
