By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Travelers using the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway will begin paying higher toll fees on July 1 as the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) rolls out the second phase of the approved toll rate adjustments.
The TRB said the increase is the second tranche of the toll adjustment program, following the initial implementation in January, and is intended to complete the authorized rate structure for the two major expressways.
For motorists traversing the entire SLEX route from Alabang to Sto. Tomas, Batangas, the adjustment translates to an additional P14 for Class 1 vehicles, P27 for Class 2 vehicles, and P41 for Class 3 vehicles.
Under the revised schedule, toll rates for the Alabang-Calamba segment will be P137 for Class 1, P274 for Class 2, and P411 for Class 3 vehicles. The Calamba-Sto. Tomas section will cost P37, P74, and P111, respectively.
Meanwhile, motorists using the STAR Tollway will also shoulder higher charges beginning July 1. End-to-end travel between Sto. Tomas and Batangas City will now cost P121 for Class 1 vehicles, P242 for Class 2 vehicles, and P363 for Class 3 vehicles, reflecting increases of P8, P17, and P26, respectively.
For individual sections, the Sto. Tomas-Lipa route will cost P64, P128, and P192 for Classes 1, 2, and 3, while the Lipa-Batangas City segment will be P57, P114, and P171, respectively.
The TRB said the adjustments were approved under existing toll regulatory agreements governing the operation, maintenance, and continued improvement of the expressways.
SLEX serves as the principal gateway linking Metro Manila to the provinces of Laguna and Batangas, while the 42-kilometer STAR Tollway provides a direct connection to Batangas City and its major industrial zones and international seaport.
With the new rates taking effect next week, motorists, public utility operators, and logistics companies are expected to factor the higher toll fees into their travel and transport costs.
ia/xf
