Trucks banned from Skyway starting November 15

MANILA, Philippines - Trucks will be banned from using Metro Manila’s Skyway starting Nov. 15 to improve the flow of traffic on the elevated highway.

Skyway O&M Corp. (SOMCO), which operates the Skyway system, said trucks would no longer be allowed to use the Skyway to address road safety concerns as well as speed up traffic flow on the elevated toll road and the soon-to-be-opened Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway. 

SOMCO said it was unsafe for trucks to use the Skyway as they pose risks to other motorists.

It said the issues were raised during a recent meeting with barangay officials, local police, highway patrol units, mall owners and other stakeholders.

Two accidents involving delivery trucks occurred recently on the Skyway, resulting in heavy traffic along the thoroughfare.   

“Together with SOMCO, we agreed to implement tighter restrictions as far as road safety is concerned. The welfare of the motorists and passengers should always be our priority,” Senior Inspector Leopoldo Vitug Jr., chief of the National Capital Region Skyway-South Luzon Expressway, said.

Public utility vehicles using the Skyway will also be required to use radio frequency identification (RFID) stickers beginning November for faster toll processing.

Buses and UV Express vans have been blamed for the traffic buildup on the elevated and at-grade sections of the Skyway. 

The RFID toll collection system is a cashless transaction used mostly by private vehicles. 

It is expected to help reduce traffic congestion on the Skyway, particularly during peak hours.

Installation of RFID stickers on vehicles is free, but an initial load of P500 for Class 1 vehicles and P1,000 for Class 2 vehicles would be needed to begin using the system.

An average of 200,000 vehicles use the Skyway daily.