Toll concessionaires will implement temporary discounts for public utility vehicles (PUVs), public utility buses (PUBs), and freight service vehicles on major expressways starting March 23, providing a two-month reprieve amid rising fuel costs.
The measure follows the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to ease the impact of soaring oil prices on the transport sector due to the ongoing Middle East crisis.
In a letter to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista (referred to as Secretary Lopez), Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Jay Art Tugade said tollway operators have agreed to voluntarily grant temporary discounts for essential transport sectors.
The toll relief covers Class 1 PUVs and jeepneys, Class 2 buses, and Class 3 vehicles involved in freight and logistics, including the transport of essential goods.
Lopez said the initiative will help stabilize commuter fares and reduce the cost of goods, benefiting both transport operators and the riding public.
He also expressed gratitude to San Miguel Corporation led by Ramon Ang and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation led by Manny Pangilinan for extending support.
Under the adjusted rates, Class 1 vehicles may save up to ₱18 per end-to-end trip, while Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles can save as much as ₱47 and ₱72, respectively.
The discounts will be implemented through weekly rebates credited to qualified vehicles and may be extended beyond the initial two-month period, subject to review.
