The tollway unit of San Miguel Corp. has implemented the second tranche of toll rate adjustments at the South Luzon Expressway, according to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).
SMC SLEX Inc. and the Manila Toll Expressway Systems Inc. (MATES) both told the TRB of having imposed the second tranche of the toll hike since two days earlier on 19 August.
To recall, the TRB directed the toll rate adjustment be implemented in two tranches in 2023 and in 2024 as part of managing the general welfare, contain inflation pressure and mitigate the impact of the toll hike.
As a result, the first tranche was implemented on 3 November 2023.
Thus, motorists traveling from Alabang to Calamba pay an additional P10 for Class 1 vehicles, P20 for Class 2, and P30 for Class 3.
Those traveling from Calamba to Sto. Tomas, Batangas pay an additional P2, P6, P8 for Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 vehicles, respectively.
SMC SLEX earlier reported net income of P2.37 billion in the January to June period, up 18 percent from P2 billion in the same period last year.
Toll revenue reached P3.96 billion, a 16 percent increase from P3.41 billion last year.
Ninety-four percent were RFID transactions and only six percent cash.
The SLEX reported an average daily traffic (ADT) of 357,548 over the six-month period, a 2 percent increase from 351,024 in 2023.
Toll operating expenses were down 20 percent from P167.8 million to P134.9 million due to lower depreciation and amortization by P19.1 million, lower advertising by P16.3 million and lower repair and maintenance for transportation and office equipment by P6.3 million.
