The North Luzon Expressway and the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway have just announced price increases for their toll rates, effective May 12, 2022.

Users of NLEX in the open system from Balintawak, Caloocan City, to Marilao, Bulacan, will now be charged an extra P2 for Class 1 vehicles, P6 for Class 2, and P8 for Class 3. This translates to P62 for Class 1, P155 for Class 2, and P179 for Class 3 on the open system.

Those traversing the closed system from Balintawak onward to Mabalacat, Pampanga, are now meted an extra P0.34 per kilometer on the toll rate. Both these adjustments translate to an additional P27, P69 and P82 for Class 1, 2 and 3 vehicles traveling end-to-end from Manila to Mabalacat, bringing the Balintawak-Mabalacat toll up to P299, P748 and P897 for Class 1, 2 and 3. As we publish this, NLEX and the Toll Regulatory Board have yet to release a toll matrix reflecting these changes for other entry and exit points.

CAVITEX users also face an adjusted toll rate for the 6.48km R-1 Expressway segment from Longos, Bacoor, to MIA Exit. Class 1 vehicles will now be charged P33, Class 2 vehicles P67, and Class 3 vehicles P100. This is up from the previous toll rates of P25, P50 and P75, respectively.

MPTC cites enhancements to both expressways as justification for the toll hikes, with both expressways getting a fresh coat of asphalt, continuous heavy works alongside new bridges, toll lanes, exits, and drainage improvements along NLEX.

While improvements are definitely welcome, the toll and fuel hikes of our present day don’t exactly feel that great for our wallets.