New SCTEX toll rates to take effect Jan. 1

(The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has given provisional approval for a 7.22 percent toll increase for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), raising the basic rates for the country’s longest tollway from the authorized toll rate of P2.49 to P2.67 per kilometer for Class 1 vehicles.

The new toll rate will be implemented starting Jan. 1, 2011.

The TRB made the decision last Dec. 17 after a public hearing the previous day on the toll hike petition filed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

The BCDA originally petitioned for a P2.87 per km toll rate but was only granted P2.67 per km.

SCTEX spokesman and program manager for support services Robert Gervacio said although there was a cut in the approved rates, they would fully abide by the TRB ruling.

Gervacio said that while an authorized toll rate for the SCTEX is P2.49 per km for Class 1 vehicles, the BCDA has implemented an effective toll rate of only P2 per km since it opened in 2008.

He said this would be the first time that toll rates at the SCTEX would be adjusted.

“As a result, SCTEX users have been enjoying 49-centavo savings for nearly three years since the SCTEX opened for vehicle traffic on April 28, 2008,” Gervacio said.

“The adjustment is a fair amount, and it will certainly enable us to fulfill our obligations to both our creditors and the motorists,” Gervacio said, adding that it will be worth every centavo for the public in general.

Under the approved toll matrix, Class 1 vehicles bound for Baguio entering the SCTEX Mabalacat/Clark logistics toll plaza (the toll plaza connecting NLEX to SCTEX) and exiting the SCTEX Tarlac City toll plaza will now pay P93 from the existing P69.

Class 1 vehicles bound for Subic entering the SCTEX Mabalacat/Clark logistics toll plaza and exiting the SCTEX Tipo toll plaza will now pay P150 from the existing P112.

Class 1 vehicles include cars, jeepneys and other vehicles with two axles and not more than seven feet in height.

In the same manner, the toll for Class 2 vehicles (trucks with two axles and over seven feet high) bound for Baguio entering the SCTEX Mabalacat/Clark logistics toll plaza and exiting the SCTEX Tarlac City toll plaza will now pay P186 from the existing P139.

Class 2 vehicles bound for Subic entering the SCTEX Mabalacat/Clark logistics toll plaza and exiting the SCTEX Tipo toll plaza will now pay P299 from the existing P224.

On the other hand, Class 3 vehicles (trucks with three or more axles and above seven feet high) will be charged P279 from the existing P208 from the stretch of the SCTEX Mabalacat/Clark logistics toll plaza to the SCTEX Tarlac City toll plaza, while Subic-bound Class 3 vehicles entering the SCTEX Mabalacat/Clark logistics toll plaza and exiting the Tipo toll plaza will pay P449 from the existing P336.