The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has approved new toll rate adjustments for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) starting today (June 14), authorizing the collection of an additional P0.51 per kilometer new toll increase.
This is when Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) filed a petition for toll rate adjustments in 2011. So how much is the approved rates adjustments? Well, motorists with ordinary cars (Class 1 vehicles) traveling from Mabalacat City (Mabiga Interchange) to Tarlac will pay an additional P20 under the new toll fee matrix.
For the buses and small commercial trucks (Class 2 vehicles) using the same corridor will pay an additional P40 and Class 3 vehicles (large trucks/trailers) will pay an additional P60. Moreover, motorists traveling between Mabalacat and Tipo in Subicwill be charged an additional P32, P66, and P98 for Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles, respectively.
Although SCTEX toll rates have remained at 2011 levels, infrastructure improvements along the 94-kilometer tollway have continued. Since 2015, BCDA and NLEX Corporation have invested in various enhancement projects in the high standard expressway to maintain motorist safety and convenience.
One of the most notable improvements was the NLEX-SCTEX integration project in 2016 which unified the toll collection of the two expressways under one electronic toll collection system. This project reduced the cumbersome toll collection stops and made expressway travel-hassle-free. Meanwhile, the entire stretch of the SCTEX between Tarlac and Tipo also underwent a massive asphalt pavement upgrade in 2017 which made for smoother and quieter rides.
The SCTEX upgrade continues as 20 additional toll lanes are set to be constructed in the Clark North, Clark South, San Miguel, Bamban, and Tarlac toll plazas this year to address traffic congestion and spur growth in these areas.