MANILA—Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday emphasized the need for enhanced services on the Philippines' major toll roads prior to any approval of further rate increases. His comments came as the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) approved the second tranche of toll adjustments for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), which are set to take effect on June 4.
According to Philippines News Agency, who regularly travels through NLEX, issues such as faulty cashless payment readers and severe traffic congestion are common, especially during weekends and holidays when traffic volume spikes. In a news release, he pointed out that these ongoing problems significantly affect the driving experience on the toll roads. "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," Gatchalian stated.
The senator also highlighted that erratic cashless payment systems contribute to vehicular build-up, particularly near toll booths, which continues to frustrate motorists. He argued that any rate adjustment should directly result in higher service standards and a better experience for motorists. Gatchalian further insisted that the TRB must ensure the operators of both NLEX and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) improve their service management before implementing additional toll charges.