MANILA, Philippines — Motorists will pay higher fees when they pass through Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) starting Nov. 19 following the implementation of a toll-rate adjustment.
According to the operator of SCTEx, an additional P0.64 per kilometer for class 1 vehicles, P1.29 per km for class 2 and P1.93 per km for class 3 will be collected.
Class 1 vehicles are regular cars and SUVs (sport utility vehicles), while Class 2 vehicles are buses and small trucks. Class 3 vehicles are large trucks.
READ: Hefty hike in NLEx Connector toll rates set on Oct. 15
This means motorists using class 1 vehicles traveling from Mabalacat City, Pampanga, to Tarlac province will pay an additional P25 while those driving class 2 vehicles will be charged an additional P50. The tollway operator will collect additional P75 for motorists using class 3 vehicles.
Motorists driving between Mabalacat City and Barangay Tipo at Hermosa town in Bataan (near Subic Freeport) will be charged an additional P41, P81, and P121 for Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles, respectively.
To recoup investments
The tollway operator is increasing its fees to recoup investments in upgrading the expressway through the years.
“From 2020 to 2023, the company undertook numerous infrastructure and enhancements projects,” NLEx Corp. said.
Among its projects are the installation and upgrading of roadway lights and signage, maintenance and toll plaza improvement works, pavement replacement and crack sealing, guardrail and fence repairs, RFID (radio frequency identification) system enhancements and toll systems upgrades.
NLEx Corp., a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), also had a road-raising project, bridge repairs and rainwater collection system installation.
P10-B credit line
This month, NLEx Corp. obtained a P10-billion credit line from China Banking Corp. to expand its tollway operations and pay off obligations.
The MPTC unit said that a portion of the loan would go toward the construction of the Candaba 3rd viaduct project. The expansion project has reached 95-percent completion, aiming to fully open the tollway before the Christmas rush.
The 5-km toll road, which links Apalit, Pampanga, and Pulilan, Bulacan, is being built between the two existing viaducts, expanding road capacity.
This year, NLEx Corp. earmarked P12 billion for capital expenditures.