Skyway open again to buses, delivery vans from April 1

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Skyway Stage 3. Photo from San Miguel Corp.
  • Starting April 1, the Skyway system will be open again to public utility buses and closed van delivery trucks
  • All Class 2 vehicles–primarily buses and closed vans exceeding seven feet in height and with valid Autosweep RFID stickers—may use the entire elevated Skyway system

Starting April 1, the Skyway system will be open again to public utility buses and closed van delivery trucks.

All Class 2 vehicles, which are primarily buses and closed vans exceeding seven feet in height and with valid Autosweep RFID stickers, will be allowed on the entire elevated Skyway system, according to operator Skyway O&M Corporation (SOMCO).

The Skyway system comprises Skyway Stages 1, 2, 3, and Skyway extension.

Buses and closed vans were previously restricted from using the Skyway for safety reasons. The construction of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) elevated extension in Muntinlupa City required the use of a temporary steel access ramp at the Alabang viaduct – which was only intended for light vehicles.

The re-opening of the elevated expressway to Class 2 vehicles follows completion of major construction works on Skyway Stage 3 and Skyway extension.

SOMCO said buses can enter and pass through the Skyway elevated sections spanning Alabang to Bicutan (Stage 2), Bicutan to Buendia (Stage 1), and Buendia to Balintawak (Stage 3) starting April 1; soon they may also be able to access the new SLEX elevated extension and Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX).

Dedicated lanes for Class 2 vehicles will be provided in the following locations to avoid long queues in toll plazas:

  • Quezon Avenue northbound (NB)/southbound (SB)
  • Main Plaza Sucat area
  • Quirino NB/SB exit
  • A. Santos
  • Doña Soledad
  • Buendia NB/SB
  • Del Monte NB/SB
  • Araneta NB entry
  • Nagtahan NB/SB
  • NAIAX

Modified 4- or 6-wheeler and closed delivery vans are not allowed on the elevated ramps.

Moreover, a speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour will be strictly enforced. Class 2 vehicles should also ensure their Autosweep RFID has enough load. Only buses and closed vans with sufficient Autosweep RFID balance can be accommodated at the elevated Skyway; vehicles with insufficient load must use the at-grade section.

“With the re-opening of the Skyway to public buses and select transport trucks, we’re hopeful that many of our countrymen from both north and south can benefit from the convenience provided by the entire Skyway system,” said Ramon Ang, president of San Miguel Corp., the parent firm of SOMCO.

“This is an option for commuters as well as public transport services, who would like to have a faster, more direct, or even point-to-point access to their destinations. This will also help to further decongest our public roads, given that we are now back to pre-pandemic levels of traffic,” Ang added.