Buses, small trucks on Skyway: Agree or Disagree? [Poll of the Week]

Class 2 vehicles such as buses and small delivery trucks will once again be allowed to use the elevated Skyway starting April 1, 2022. San Miguel Corp. (SMC) said that this move will provide faster, and more efficient travel for Class 2 vehicles. 

SLEX Extension southbound

SMC’s Skyway O&M Corp. (SOMCO) said that it has decided to allow Class 2 vehicles to use the Skyway once again as the major construction works on the elevated expressway are already complete. Previously, buses and other Class 2 vehicles were not allowed on the Skyway due to the construction of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) elevated extension in Muntinlupa.   

Class 2 vehicles can use the entire elevated Skyway system come April 1, 2022. Buses and small trucks can also use the new SLEX elevated extension as well as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX). SOMCO noted that buses and closed van delivery trucks that will be using the Skyway should have a valid Autosweep RFID with sufficient balance. 

To address the concerns about the possible traffic buildup on toll plazas, SMC noted that it will be providing dedicated Class 2 lanes to avoid long queues. These lanes will be placed at the following locations or toll plazas:

- Quezon Avenue North Bound (NB)/ South Bound (SB)

- Main Plaza Sucat Area

- Quirino NB/SB Exit

- Dr. A. Santos

- Doña Soledad

- Buendia NB/SB

- Del Monte NB/SB

- G. Araneta NB entry

- Nagtahan NB/SB

- NAIAX

Class 2 vehicles are not allowed to pass through G. Araneta SB (off ramp) in the meantime due to narrow ramp spaces. SOMCO reiterated that modified four- or six-wheeler and closed delivery vans are not allowed on the elevated ramps to avoid any untoward incidents. The toll operator also said that Class 2 vehicles should strictly comply with the prescribed 60 km/h speed limit. 

Class 2 vehicles such as buses and small trucks can use Skyway starting April 1

While the use of Skyway can provide Class 2 vehicles with more efficient travel, some motorists are concerned about overall road safety. The cause of this concern could be driven by past events involving Class 2 vehicles using the elevated Skyway. 

Last December 2013, a Don Mariano bus fell off the Skyway and landed on a closed van, killing more than 20 people. Reports stated that the driver of the Don Mariano bus was overspeeding and had lost control, which resulted in the grim accident.  

In November 2016, all trucks were banned from using the Skyway to improve road safety as well as speed up the traffic flow. The decision to ban trucks on the Skyway was due to the two accidents involving delivery trucks that caused heavy traffic.  

Then, in October 2017, a bus fell from the Skyway ramp in Alabang, Muntinlupa. According to the report released by the Manila Toll Expressway Systems Incorporated (MATES), the Cher Bus with plate number TYW-504 lost control of its brakes while moving up the flyover towards the Alabang Exit. The bus fell onto the service road and landed by the Alabang Exit toll plaza.

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