Skyway Stage 3 toll fees aren’t going to be cheap

Updated Jan 20, 2021 | Same topic: Latest Traffic Updates

You’ll need to brace your budget for the added expense.

Now that the Skyway Stage 3 has been completed, motorists can expect drastically reduced travel times between the two major tollways located north and south of Metro Manila. This is part of the 23-project EDSA Decongestion Masterplan, which aims to ease vehicular traffic and speed up travel along the country’s busiest thoroughfare.

Skyway Stage 3 Quick Look: 22-minute drive from NAIAX to Balintawak

However, all that convenience also comes at quite a cost, if the proposed toll rates for the project are to be believed. San Miguel Corporation (SMC), which operates Skyway Stage 3, has submitted its recommended fees to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), with the published figures presumed to be for Class 1 or private vehicles.

Northbound

Start point
Quirino
Plaza Azul
Quezon Ave.
Sgt. Rivera / A. Bonifacio
A. Bonifacio / Balintawak
NLEX
Buendia
110
110
274
274
274
274
Quirino
 
110
274
274
274
274
Plaza Azul
 
 
274
274
274
274
E. Rodriguez
 
 
133
133
133
133
Quezon Ave.
 
 
 
133
133
133

Southbound

Start point
Sgt. Rivera / A. Bonifacio
Quezon Ave.
E. Rodriguez
Plaza Azul
Plaza Dilao
Buendia
NLEX
133
133
133
274
274
274
Balintawak / A. Bonifacio
133
133
133
274
274
274
Sgt. Rivera / A. Bonifacio
 
133
133
274
274
274
Quezon Ave.
 
 
133
274
274
274
Plaza Dilao
 
 
 
 
 
110
Quirino
 
 
 
 
 
110

Note that these rates are merely ballpark figures, but to say that these are expensive might be an understatement, especially for a population that’s still reeling from the economic effects of the pandemic. And that’s on top of the standard toll, assuming that one would need to use other expressways along the way such as SLEX or NAIAX.

A large part of the projected fees likely comes from the total cost of the project’s construction (Php 66.1 billion), as well as right-of-way settlements reaching Php 4.1 billion. To recall, a number of residents were affected by the project passing right through their respective properties, requiring SMC to provide them with due compensation for the trouble.

>>> Related: After Skyway Stage 3, SMC targets Pasig River Expressway completion

Skyway Stage 3 section

It's going to be hard for many motorists to choose between cost and convenience 

At present, Skyway Stage 3 remains free of charge to the motoring public, and the feedback over how the project has made the usual long drives that much shorter is an encouraging sign. But after February 1, travelers will have to prepare their budgets depending on how often they will be using the expressway. It’s still a toll road, after all. Will you be using the Skyway Stage 3 for the convenience it brings, or will you be relying on alternate routes to your destination?

Our traffic updates are free of charge at Philkotse.com.

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Author

Joseph holds a degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines Diliman and has been writing professionally since 1999. He has written episodes for CNN Philippines' motoring show Drive, and has worked on corporate projects for MG Philippines and Pilipinas Shell. Aside from being Philkotse.com’s Content Lead, he also writes content for numerous car dealerships in the U.S., spanning multiple brands such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Maserati, among others.

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