Higher NLEX toll rates start June 4

MANILA, Philippines —  Motorists using the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) should brace for another toll rate increase starting June 4.

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has approved the collection of the second tranche of toll increase, NLEX Corp. announced yesterday.

This means toll rates in the open system or from Balintawak to Marilao, Bulacan will increase by P5 for Class 1 vehicles, P14 for Class 2 and P17 for Class 3.

The toll for those traversing NLEX end to end will increase by P27 for Class 1 vehicles, P68 for Class 2 and P81 for Class 3.

NLEX Corp. said it plans to allocate proceeds from the toll increases to bankroll ongoing projects and finance future expansion.

Last year, the TRB approved the petition for a toll hike filed by NLEX Corp. to allow the company to recover its authorized adjustments for 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2020.

The TRB said NLEX Corp. should implement the toll increases equally in two tranches.

It said the toll hikes should be divided into two to mitigate the impact on motorists, who have been suffering from inflationary pressures since the start of the year.

Inflation, or the average increase in commodity prices, slowed to 2.8 percent in January, but went up to 3.4 percent in February, 3.7 percent in March and 3.8 percent in April.

NLEX Corp. said the toll increase was supposed to be implemented in 2018 and 2020, adding that it needs the capital to operate and maintain the expressway.

It intends to begin the initial segment of a road that will connect NLEX and C5 Road this year.

The P2.1-billion project, which is set for completion in 2025, will offer an alternative route in crossing Mindanao Avenue, one of the most congested roads in Quezon City.

NLEX Corp. said it needs P6.5 billion to pursue a road widening project for the San Fernando section of the expressway.

Meanwhile, as earlier announced, the TRB is also expected to approve another toll rate hike on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) this year.

The TRB allowed SLEX to adjust toll rates last year, but was told to also divide the increase equally.  – Ramon Efren Lazaro