Toll discounts for PUVs, buses, freight vehicles to begin today

MANILA, March 23 ------ Public utility vehicles, buses, and freight service vehicles will receive temporary toll discounts starting today, as tollway operators move to ease the burden amid rising fuel costs.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the two-month toll relief will cover Class 1 public utility vehicles (PUVs) or jeepneys, Class 2 public utility buses (PUBs), and Class 3 vehicles engaged in freight and logistics services. This measure comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed transport officials to find ways to cushion the impact of soaring oil prices on the transport sector amid tensions in the Middle East.

In a letter to Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon Lopez, Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Jay Tugade said toll concessionaires have agreed to voluntarily implement temporary discounts for essential transport sectors. “Nagpapasalamat tayo sa San Miguel Corp., kay Mr. Ramon Ang, at sa Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., kay Mr. Manny Pangilinan dahil malaking tulong ito sa ating mga PUV drivers, commuters, pati na rin sa ating mga mamimili at mga negosyante sa kabila ng kinakaharap nating krisis ngayon sa langis,” Lopez said.

With the adjusted toll rates, Class 2 vehicles can save up to P47 per end-to-end trip, while Class 3 vehicles may save as much as P72 per trip. Toll discounts will be provided through rebates, which will be credited weekly to all qualified vehicles. Meanwhile, PUJs using the NLEX open system may avail of the Pasada Pass Program which provides daily unlimited passage for only P212.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com