Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 15) — Motorists would start paying additional ₱7 to ₱98 fees for North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) beginning Thursday, despite calls from some senators and groups to freeze the implementation amid elevated inflation and traffic woes along the expressway.
The NLEX Corporation earlier announced that the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) gave the go signal to impose an additional ₱7 to ₱19 on motorists traveling within the open system.Those traversing the NLEX end-to-end between Metro Manila and Mabalacat City would have to shell out more as the new rates increase by ₱33 to ₱98 depending on the type of vehicle.
The following new toll rates are now effective:
Class 1
Open System: ₱69End-to-end: ₱332
Class 2
Open System: ₱172End-to-end: ₱829
Class 3
Open System: ₱206End-to-end: ₱995
The TRB’s decision did not sit well with some lawmakers.
Sen. Grace Poe, who heads the Senate Committee on Public Services, has demanded an explanation from the regulator for the “drastic hike” in NLEX’s toll rates.Senate Minority Leader “Koko” Pimentel, meanwhile, urged the TRB and the toll road operator to suspend the implementation of the toll rate hike, citing traffic congestion along NLEX.Transport group Manibela likewise expressed their opposition against the toll rate hike.
