San Miguel Corp. will start collecting toll on the 18-kilometer Skyway Stage 3 next week, with its chief honcho saying that the company will charge “lower than the original proposed rates.”
Ramon S. Ang, the company’s president, said the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has issued the toll operating permit and the notice to start collecting toll, allowing the company to charge motorists expressway fees starting July 12.
The company allowed the public to use the thoroughfare for free for almost seven months.
“We thank the TRB for helping us determine the most equitable toll rates for our motorists. We know from experience that times are hard for many, and even a little relief for motorists can go a long way. These toll rates reflect our deferral of the collection of a substantial amount of the cost to build Skyway 3. We also further lowered the rates for those traveling shorter distances,” he said.
Sought for clarification, an executive said the revised toll rates are still being discussed. SMC said the final rates will be posted on its social media pages.
Ang noted that the collection of toll will ensure “continued efficient operations, maintenance, and safe driving conditions on the elevated expressway—particularly as daily traffic puts a heavy strain on the road infrastructure, necessitating significant maintenance costs.”
The food-to-infrastructure conglomerate spent over P80 billion to complete the project within two administrations, a significant amount of time considering its length. The delays were caused by right-of-way issues, realignments, and redesigns.
“We aggressively pursued the completion of Skyway 3 despite all of the obstacles, including right-of-way issues, because our people need a long-term solution to traffic. We believe it can also help boost our economy over the long term as it provides, finally, a seamless connection between North and South Luzon. With the same dedication, we will pursue other major road and mass transport projects to benefit our countrymen,” Ang said.
Skyway 3 has a design capacity of 200,000 vehicles per day. According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) it diverts at least 75,000 vehicles per day from Edsa and C5.
Image courtesy of Business Mirror file photo