SMC Infrastructure is waiving all toll fees across its expressway network during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The infrastructure arm of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. said the toll holiday starts at 10 pm of December 24 to 6 am of December 25, and from 10 pm of December 31 to 6 am of January 1.
The toll holiday will be implemented at the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), the Skyway system, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expresswa (NAIAX), and the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX).
SMC Infrastructure has advised motorists to plan their trips ahead to avoid lengthy delays and get to their destination safely as holiday traffic is expected to peak this week.
“Traffic buildup and congestion at our expressways, ports, and airports is something we all expect at this time of the year, especially as restrictions have fully eased. We appeal to our motorists for their patience and understanding as we anticipate heavy traffic,” SMC president Ramon S. Ang said.
The company has deployed additional traffic management personnel at all its tollways to provide roadside assistance to motorists, and help manage the flow of vehicles at exit points.
Its recently-launched “Seamless Southern Tollways” initiative is also part of the company’s preparations for the holiday rush.
The program cuts down toll stops for motorists headed south via the Skyway System, SLEX, and STAR from five to just two–their entry and exit points–and turns the Calamba, SLEX Greenfield, and Sto. Tomas, Batangas toll plazas into pass-through lanes, reducing potential traffic chokepoints.
“We implemented the Seamless Southern Tollways initiative so motorists will no longer need to make as many stops and can fully enjoy seamless travel along Skyway, SLEX, and STAR,” Ang said.
“We’ve been seeing good results the first two weeks. Smoother traffic flow has been observed, and we’re hoping this will translate to a better driving and travel experience overall for many motorists this holiday season,” he added.
