PSA: Toll fees on MPTC expressways are waived on Christmas, New Year's Eve
Here's a treat for all motorists: tolls are waived on Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation in Luzon expressways during certain hours this Christmas and New Year.
"Our goal this holiday season is to have motorists spend less time on the road and more time with their families," said MPTC Chairman Manuel V Pangilinan.
According to MPTC, tolls will be waived at NLEX, SCTEX, NLEX Connector, CALAX, and CAVITEX from Dec. 24, 10 p.m. to Dec. 25, 6 a.m., and on Dec. 31, 10 p.m. to Jan. 1, 6 a.m.
Additionally, the company has also ramped up its traffic and road safety preparations across its expressway network in Luzon.
"We've prepared early, deployed full manpower, and have initiated barrier-up operations, counterflow measures, free towing services, and toll-free passage,” Pangilinan added.
In anticipation of the holiday rush, MPTC will suspend all roadworks and lane closures from 6 a.m. on Dec. 19 through 12 p.m. on Jan. 5. To further ease congestion, a dedicated counterflow lane will be opened at NLEX for Class 1 RFID-equipped vehicles.
This lane will operate northbound on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and southbound from 2 p.m. on Sundays through 5 a.m. on Mondays.
Motorists are urged to ensure their RFID accounts are active and sufficiently funded before traveling to ensure seamless, faster transactions
“Cash-paying customers are advised to shift to RFID for faster transactions,” it said.
Meanwhile, the delayed EDSA rehabilitation project is scheduled to begin on Dec. 24, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon announced.
He said that the EDSA rehab project aims to cause "minimal disruption" to daily traffic.
Phase 1 is set to start on Dec. 24, 11 p.m., with 24-hour works happening until Jan. 5, 4 a.m. During this, the DPWH seeks to finish reblocking works and asphalt overlay for both northbound and southbound lanes of the EDSA busway.
The busway will also move to the second innermost lane while works are ongoing during the holidays.
From Jan. 5 to May 31, 2026, road works (lane by lane) will only be from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
