San Miguel Corporation (SMC) said that it will start collecting toll fees on Skyway Stage 3 starting July 12, nearly seven months after providing free use of the elevated expressway to the public.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 6, SMC said it will use a revised toll fee matrix that is lower than the original proposed toll fees, particularly for motorists traveling shorter distances.
This, after the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) recently issued a toll operating permit and a notice to start collecting toll to SMC for the 18-kilometer (km) Skyway 3.
SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang said the revised toll fee matrix, as approved by the TRB, takes into consideration the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, its impact on the economy, and the Filipino people.
"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," Ang said.
"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 added.
According to Ang, the start of toll fee collection will enable the company to ensure continued efficient operations, maintenance, and safe driving conditions on the elevated expressway.
SMC Infrastructure will announce the final approved rates prior to the start of toll collection, the firm said.
Since its soft opening in December last year, the following on-and off-ramps of Skyway 3 have been opened to the public:
• Buendia SB Exit and NB Entry
• Quirino NB and SB Exit
• Plaza Dilao SB Entry
• Nagtahan SB and NB Exit
• E. Rodriguez SB Exit
• Quezon Ave SB Exit and Entry
• Quezon Ave NB Exit and Entry
• A. Bonifacio NB Exit
• NLEX NB Exit and NLEX SB Entry
The opening of Skyway 3 significantly reduced travel time from Alabang to Balintawak and vice versa to only 30 minutes from the previous three hours, and from Buendia to Balintawak, to only 20 minutes.
With a capacity of 200,000 vehicles per day, it has also decongested traffic on major Metro Manila thoroughfares, including EDSA and C-5.