Motorists traversing through North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) will have to pay an additional ₱5 at the open system and ₱0.72 per kilometer at the closed system effective this Sunday, March 2.

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) authorized the toll hike based on the consolidated amount of the first tranche of the approved periodic adjustments of NLEX that was approved in 2022.

The TRB said the planned increase was supposed to be implemented in 2023, but it was since deferred and later divided into two tranches.

This year, NLEX Corp. was allowed to collect only the first tranche, specifically 50 percent, of the approved periodic adjustments.

The TRB said dividing the toll hike into two tranches would “help curb inflation and cushion the impact thereof on the toll expressway users.”

With the completion of the new Candaba 3rd Viaduct last year, the agency said it is authorizing NLEX to recover its investments in the new infrastructure through add-on toll fees at the tollway’s close system.

To recall, the Candaba 3rd Viaduct along Candaba Swamp in the provinces of Pampanga and Bulacan was fully opened to motorists in December of last year without the collection of add-on toll fees.

Under the new toll fee matrix, motorists traversing within the open system will pay an additional ₱5 for class 1 vehicles, ₱13 for class 2 vehicles, and ₱15 for class 3 vehicles.​

The open system runs from Metro Manila, in the cities of Navotas, Valenzuela, and Caloocan, to Marilao, Bulacan.

At the closed system, motorists will pay an extra ₱52 for class 1, ₱129 for class 2, and ₱156 for class 3.

The close system covers the portion between Bocaue, Bulacan, and Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

At Subic-Tipo, an additional ₱7 for class 1, ₱18 for class 2, and ₱21 for class 3 will be collected.

For those traveling the full length of NLEX between Metro Manila and Mabalacat City, they will face an added fee of ₱57 for class 1 vehicles, ₱142 for class 2 vehicles, and ₱171 for class 3 vehicles.​

“The new provisionally approved toll rate adjustments and add-on toll rates have undergone thorough, meticulous and lengthy review by the TRB, and were allowed to be implemented only after NLEX Corp. complied with all the procedures and requirements under the 2013 TRB Revised Rules of Procedure,” the TRB stated.

With the impending toll hike, NLEX Corp. assured that this will help them embark on infrastructure projects and improvements in its road networks to enhance the safety, mobility, and convenience of motorists.

The operator said two major projects aimed at decongesting the expressway are set to start construction this year: the first two-kilometer section of NLEX-C5 Northlink from NLEX Mindanao toll plaza to Quirino Highway in Novaliches, and the NLEX San Fernando to Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) Spur in Mabalacat, Pampanga.