Motorists get toll-free pass on Christmas, New Year eves

MANILA, Philippines—Motorists using the 29.8-km Skyway System, the 36-km South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) and the 42-km Star Tollway will enjoy toll-free passage on these roads starting 10 p.m. on Dec. 24 until 6 a.m. the following day; and from 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2015, according to its operators, Skyway O&M Corp. (Somco), Manila Toll Expressway System Inc. (Mates) and Star Tollway Corp. (STC).

“The toll-free Christmas and New Year’s eves have been a tradition observed on the Skyway System, SLEx and Star Tollway for many years as our way of sharing holiday cheer and expressing our gratitude to our motoring patrons,” said Ado Diaz, head of the south tollway collection group.

Meanwhile, due to the usual heavy Christmas holiday traffic volume, motorists are reminded to strictly observe traffic rules and keep their vehicles roadworthy for their own safety and convenience and those of other motorists. Somco, Mates and STC are beefing up their traffic, security and safety operations for the long Christmas holiday starting Dec. 21, when motorists troop to provinces in the south, until Jan. 4, 2015, when they rush back to Metro Manila.

To ease queuing at toll plazas, especially during the holiday season, dedicated “exact toll” lanes are open at Skyway System and SLEx strictly for motorists with exact toll, Diaz added. Motorists may call the hotlines of Skyway at tel. no. 7767777 and Mates at 0917-6877539 should they need to get assistance and report road incidents. STC’s emergency numbers are (043) 7567870 and 0927-5117827.