Vehicles are seen at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Bocaue Toll Plaza in Bulacan on January 2, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Motorists using the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) will have to pay an extra P5.00 in the open system and P0.72 per kilometer in the closed system effective this coming Sunday, March 2. 

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) on Thursday said it has authorized the toll hike which represent the consolidated amount of the first tranche of approved periodic adjustments of NLEX due in 2023.

TRB explained that the adjustments were initially divided into two tranches to "ease impact on expressway users". It said the completion of the new Candaba 3rd Viaduct in late 2024 entails an add-on toll as well.

NLEX Candaba 3rd viaduct to open in December

 "Motorists have been enjoying a safer and more comfortable journeys with the new Candaba 3rd Viaduct, a vital link between Metro Manila, Central, and Northern Luzon, without paying for additional toll since it was partially opened in August 2024 and fully completed December of the same year," the TRB stated.

Drivers using the open system must take note of the following adjustments under the new toll fee matrix:

 - P5 for Class 1 vehicles

- P13 for Class 2 vehicles

- P15 for Class 3 vehicles. 

2nd tranche of NLEX toll hike possible by June

Additional charges will be imposed to those who travel end-to-end between Metro Manila and Mabalacat City:

- P57 for Class 1 vehicles

- P142 for Class 2 vehicles

- P171 for Class 3 vehicles.

NLEX management said the toll hike helps them maintain "the highest standards in service and quality of roads".

It also bared that it will start the construction of two projects which it said aim to decongest the NLEX mainline, namely the first two-kilometer section of the NLEX-C5 link from the NLEX Mindanao toll plaza to Quirino Highway in Novaliches, and the NLEX San Fernando to SCTEX Spur in Mabalacat, Pampanga. 

NLEX toll rates to go up starting June 4