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The Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations called on toll operator NLEX Corp to suspend the implementation of a toll increase in North Luzon Expressway
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ACTOO said it is “strongly” opposing the toll hike, saying improvements in the expressway should come from NLEX Corp.’s “earnings from previous years and not from additional rates”
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The association threatened to stage a protest together with other organizations if their plea isn’t heard
The Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations (ACTOO) is asking NLEX Corp. to suspend the implementation of a toll increase in North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).
In a statement, ACTOO said it is “strongly” opposing the toll hike, saying improvements in the expressway should come from the toll operator’s “earnings from previous years and not from additional rates.”
“Sa panahong lahat ay bumebwelo pa lamang mula sa hirap na pinagdaanan sa pandemya, hindi makatutulong ang mga dagdag na pabigat sa negosyo at sa mga mamamayan tulad ng toll fee hike,” ACTOO said.
(We are just recovering from the pandemic; a toll fee hike will not help businesses and the public.)
The group said they, along with other stakeholders, were surprised at the announcement of the toll increase, saying it was not subjected to public consultation.
ACTOO also noted various issues concerning traffic, pending projects, and RFID at toll gates.
The association threatened to stage a protest together with other organizations if their plea falls on deaf ears.
The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) recently approved the toll rate adjustment for NLEX and authorized the implementation of an additional P7 in the open system and P0.36 per kilometer in the closed system, to take effect starting June 15.
RELATED READ: Higher NLEX toll rates kick in from June 15
The new rates, which NLEX Corp. said underwent thorough regulatory reviews and approvals, were part of the authorized NLEX periodic adjustments due in 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2020.
TRB allowed NLEX to collect this year the fourth and last tranche of the 2012 and 2014 periodic adjustments and only half of the 2018 and 2020 increases to help “curb the existing inflationary situation and cushion their impact on the users of the expressway.”
Public utility jeepneys (PUJs) under the NLEX Pass-ada and Tsuper Card discount and rebate programs will continue to enjoy the old rates.
Under the new toll fee matrix, motorists traveling anywhere within the open system will pay an additional P7 for Class 1 vehicles (regular cars and SUVs), P17 for Class 2 vehicles (buses and small trucks), and P19 for Class 3 vehicles (large trucks).
The open system is from Metro Manila in the cities of Navotas, Valenzuela and Caloocan to Marilao, Bulacan while 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 P33 for Class 1, P81 for Class 2 and P98 for Class 3 vehicles.
While awaiting implementation of the adjustments, NLEX said it has continued to deliver quality service to motorists by ensuring that its road assets and operations are at par with standards. It said it has remained steadfast in its commitment to the welfare of its stakeholders through various corporate social responsibility programs and initiatives.
Traffic management systems were enhanced to closely monitor the traffic situation in the entire stretch of the expressway, and to immediately respond to incidents, the toll operator said.
With a full system in place, different traffic measures are being implemented to manage traffic depending on the criticality of the situation, these include the setting up counterflow in congested areas where feasible so motorists will get to their destinations safely, quickly and comfortably, NLEX said.
It has started preliminary works for the Candaba Third Viaduct and is eyeing to expand the NLEX San Fernando to Sta. Ines which will help address the increase in the volume of vehicles using the expressway.
Groundbreaking for the 3rd Viaduct is set take place this June to officially signal its construction, NLEX said. The project will expand the five-kilometer bridge from existing three lanes without shoulder to three lanes with inner and outer shoulder per direction. Aside from making travels safer and more convenient, the new bridge, once finished, will enable faster journeys as it will increase the maximum speed at the Viaduct from 60 kilometers per hour to 80kph.
From 2018 to 2020, the tollway company completed several improvements in its road networks. These include the San Fernando NB exit expansion, Meycauayan NB and Balintawak SB drainage enhancements, San Simon and Sta. Rita Bridge retrofitting, Mindanao signalization, Mapulang Lupa Pedestrian/Tricycle Overpass, Expansion of toll plazas in Pampanga, Toll system and equipment enhancements, and Upgrading of roadway lighting and signages.
