Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday, June 2 called on the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to ensure that operators of the country’s major toll roads will first improve their services before approving and implementing any additional rate hike. 

Gatchalian made the call after the TRB approved the second tranche of toll adjustments for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), resulting in higher toll rates for motorists starting June 4.

In the case of NLEX, the senator noted motorists continue to bewail poor services at the toll road.

“I pass through NLEX regularly and I know the situation firsthand. People usually complain about the faulty cashless reader and horrible traffic, especially during weekends or holiday breaks when there is a surge of motorists traversing the toll road,” Gatchalian said.

“Operators of these toll roads should first fix their defective cashless system and implement a program that would ease traffic congestion before any rate hike is adopted,” he stressed.

Motorists also continue to endure vehicular bottlenecks in certain parts of toll roads, particularly in areas approaching toll booths. 

The cashless payment system of major toll roads continues to be erratic, contributing to vehicular build-up in certain areas, according to the lawmaker.

“Any rate adjustment in the country’s main toll roads should translate into higher service standards and better experience for motorists,” Gatchalian suggested.

“Siguraduhin muna ng TRB na maayos ang pagpapalakad ng mga operator sa NLEX at SLEX bago ito magpasya ng dagdag bayad para sa mga dumadaan dito (The TRB should first make sure that the operations in the NLEX and SLEX are running smoothly before they decide to add toll fees to those who frequent the area),” he stressed.