MPTC sees traffic volume returning to pre-COVID-19 levels

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) expects traffic volume across its network of expressways to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, barring another virus surge that will   lead to stricter mobility restrictions.

MPTC president and CEO Rodrigo Franco said in a virtual briefing yesterday that the tollway company sees a 10 percent year-on-year growth in traffic volume for 2022.

“Right now, the expressway business is looking a lot better than  2020 and even last year,” Franco said.

“Hopefully, there will be no longer any surge that will result in some more mobility restrictions. If that holds, then we think there will be traffic growth year-on-year. I think it’s going to be in the magnitude of something like 10 percent growth,” he said.

Last year, Franco said traffic volume was good across MPTC’s expressways, if not for the mobility restrictions due to two virus surges around March and August which resulted to decline in traffic.

In line with the expected increase in traffic volume this year, MPTC is making available starting March 1 a new travel companion app called MPTC Drivehub.

Integrating motoring and travel services in one digital platform, MPT DriveHub will offer a variety of mobility solutions that create better user travel experience.

MPT DriveHub, which is available for both iOS and Android devices, seeks to empower motorists to smartly and conveniently plan their trips – from ensuring that they have ample load on their RFID accounts to navigating through the expressway with ease.

As an all-in-one app, MPT DriveHub’s features can be categorized into three key functions namely, RFID transactions, trip planning, and roadside assistance.

“For us, our vision for MPT DriveHub is to become a super app for motorists, for mobility. That’s our aspiration. It’s going to be a super app for all your mobility needs and requirements to make your journey and your travel more pleasant,” Franco said.

MPTC, a subsidiary of conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp., is the country’s largest tollway builder and operator.

Last year, the company launched a mobility solutions unit called MPT Mobility intended to play a key role in the sustainability of the business, as it would serve as the primary organization in its pursuit of new revenue stream.

“With the growing demand for mobility solutions amid an accelerated digital transformation in the Philippines, we found it necessary to strengthen our pursuit for innovation. MPT DriveHub is part of our business diversification initiatives that will help realize our goal of providing the ultimate mobility experience to our motorists,” Franco said.

MPT Mobility vice president for business development Mark De Leon said the company is actively developing the DriveHub app to introduce more services in the future such as e-wallets, motorists’ marketplace, and electric vehicle charging locator map to equip motorists with more solutions that will further enhance and delight their journeys.

“We’re open to partnerships and app integrations to accelerate the MPT DriveHub’s service offerings,” De Leon said.