NLEX waives Pulilan–San Fernando toll fees starting Sept. 2
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 2, toll fees will be waived for all vehicles traversing the Pulilan, Bulacan–San Fernando, Pampanga (and vice versa) stretch of the North Luzon Expressway, the Department of Transportation announced.
This is in response to the severe traffic in that part of NLEX brought about by the flooding of Tulaoc Bridge in San Simon, Pampanga following intense habagat rains the country has been experiencing since August.
The flooding began on Aug. 29. As of Aug. 31, the bridge was still flooded.
Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez coordinated the waiving of fees with NLEX Corporation President Luis Reñon.
"Nakausap ko po sina NLEX President Luis Reñon para matulungan ang ating mga motorista at mga pasahero na labis na naapektuhan nitong matinding traffic, alinsunod sa utos ng ating Pangulo," Lopez said in a statement.
"Nagpapasalamat po tayo dahil agad din po silang tumugon sa ating hiling na magpatupad ng libreng toll hanggang sa maging maayos ang sitwasyon ng trapiko," Lopez added.
Toll fees across major expressways continue to be waived for provincial buses and vehicles transporting agricultural products under the government's UPLIFT initiatives.
According to the DOTr, the free toll will be in effect until traffic in that area of NLEX is resolved.
Class 1 vehicles passing Pulilan–San Fernando normally pay a P113 toll fee, while Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles pay P281.
Per the Toll Regulatory Board, Class 1 vehicles include cars, jeepneys, vans, pick-up trucks, and motorcycles. Class 2 covers buses and light trucks. Vehicles belonging to Class 3 are large trucks and trucks with a trailer.
SMS flood warnings
On Wednesday, the DOTr also directed NLEX Corporation to implement a faster, more efficient warning system during heavy rains and flooding.
In his letter to NLEX Corporation dated Aug. 31, DOTr Executive Director Jose Arturo M. Tugade told the company that once the water level of Pampanga River and Tulaoc River "approach critical threshold," and three hours before expected rainfall, it must implement a warning system that includes direct text messages and communication on other platforms accessible to motorists.
Tugade also directed NLEX Corporation to consider reimbursing the toll fees of Class 1 motorists who were forced to make a U-turn on NLEX because of the flood.
"Dapat proactive ang mga toll operator natin. I-anticipate na kung saan 'yung mga babantayang lugar, lalo na 'pag may paparating na malakas na ulan, para malaman agad ng mga motorista kung saan 'yung mga bahagi ng expressway na may baha o mahirap daanan at maiwasan," Lopez said in a statement.
"Dapat makatanggap agad [ang mga motorista] ng advisory, tulad ng text message, para makapagplano sila nang mas maayos at hindi maipit sa traffic," he added.
Further, for future similar incidents, DOTr directed NLEX Corporation to closely coordinate with the Transportation Department and the Toll Regulatory Board so that together, they can implement flood mitigation measures.
In a separate letter dated Aug. 31, Tugade directed Reñon to submit a written explanation of the flooding incident in San Simon and Tulaoc, Pampanga. He is also expected to propose technical solutions to mitigate the flooding.
Palace: Free toll may bring more traffic
On Sept. 1, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said at a press briefing that any initiative to waive toll fees should come not from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. but from NLEX officials.
"Alam naman ng NLEX kung ano'ng nangyari dito at ano ang kanilang responsibilidad. Dapat sa kanila manggaling ang kautusan na 'to," Castro said.
She added that waived toll fees would just result in heavier traffic, and advised motorists to just avoid NLEX if traffic is bad.
"Magandang adhikain 'yung libre, pero kung ililibre natin, mas maraming sasakyan na papasok. So 'pag mas maraming papasok na sasakyan, mas lalong magkakaroon ng traffic, so dapat nga iwasan muna nila 'tong NLEX," she said.
"Ba't ka pa papasok kung traffic na? 'Wag mo nang gamitin muna. In the meantime, 'wag na muna kayong dumaan doon kasi kung hindi naman din siya makakalusot," she said.
