The operator of the Manila-Cavite expressway in the Philippines has begun to collect higher toll fees, after being authorised to do so by the country’s Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).
The provisionally approved adjusted toll fees are in line with the petition filed by Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC) and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) for periodic toll adjustment every three years.
The price hike, which came into force on 21 August 2023, applies to the R-1 Expressway (Seaside to Zapote) and Segment 4 of the R-1 Expressway Extension (Zapote to Kawit) of Cavitex.
Public utility vehicles (PUVs), jeepneys and modern jeepneys, passenger buses, and UV Express units will be charged the old rates “for at least three months” after the higher toll fees take effect.
CIC and PRA will reactivate their Abante Card Program and will provide details at a later time.
According to the TRB advisory, the last toll increase for the R-1 segment was implemented on 12 May 2022, for the 2011 and 2014 scheduled adjustments. For the R-1 Extension, this is the first adjustment since 01 May 2011.
The higher toll fees will go into CIC and PRA’s expansion, enhancement, and maintenance efforts.
Meanwhile, cash lanes will be gradually removed from toll plazas in the Philippines from September as toll operators transition to a fully cashless system by the end of 2024.
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The TRB released an advisory stating that the transition will be kick-started by a two-month dry run “on selected qualified toll plazas” beginning 01 September 2023.
“The dry run is a necessary procedure to ascertain the readiness of the Tollway Concessionaires and Operators for the smooth and efficient re-implementation of the Contactless Program,” TRB’s statement read.
The programme was originally scheduled for full implementation on 02 November 2020 but was subsequently put on. hold because of issues with the electronic toll-collection systems and the difficulty of obtaining RFID tags for vehicles.
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