THE Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has approved the application of South Luzon Tollway Corp (SLTC), operator of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), to increase toll fees by more than 250% starting June 30.
The increase will apply to the Alabang to Calamba portion of the expressway. The new rate for Class 1 or light vehicles will be P77 from only P22; Class 2 vehicles, P155 from P43; and Class 3 or heavy vehicles, P232 from P65.
SLTC holds a 30-year concession to operate, maintain and expand the 27.3-kilometer SLEx.
Last week, Partylist group Bayan Muna called on the Department of Transportation and Communications to reject approval of the toll rate increase, calling it a “midnight highway robbery” on the public.
Bayan Muna partylist Representative Teodoro Casiño said the toll fee hike was “unconscionable”. He said it would eventually increase prices of agricultural produce, bus fares, and some basic goods from the provinces transported through the SLEx.
“The TRB and the outgoing administration is grossly ignoring the negative effects of their decision allowing South Luzon Tollway Corp to jack up their toll rates by about 250 to 260 percent. This is a complete in-your-face highway robbery,” Casiño said.
“The SLEx has a minimum passage of 200,000 motorists daily, so the increase will jack up the daily revenue collected from P8.68 million to an astounding P22.26 million. This is government-sanctioned mega-profiteering,” he added.
