(PNA file photo)

In the spirit of the Yuletide season, San Miguel Corporation (SMC), through SMC Infrastructure, is continuing its annual tradition of waiving the toll fees at expressways it operates on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to make holiday travel smoother for motorists.

Toll fees across SMC’s expressways — including the Skyway System, NAIA Expressway (NAIAX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR Tollway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) — will be waived from 10:00 PM on December 24 to 6:00 AM on December 25, and again from 10:00 PM on December 31 to 6:00 AM on January 1, 2025.

“This is our way of saying thank you to everyone who uses the expressways we operate. It’s something we look forward to every year because it helps thousands of motorists get home to their families a little easier, especially during Christmas and New Year,” SMC Chairman Ramon S. Ang said.

Ang said it has also laid out operational initiatives to ensure the safety and security of motorists along its tollway network.

• Starting 12 noon on December 20, patrollers and security personnel are to be deployed in critical areas, while emergency response personnel will be placed on alert.
• Traffic monitoring centers at each of the expressways will be staffed round-the-clock to keep watch over the flow of vehicle traffic.
• Roadworks that may affect traffic flow will be suspended, starting noon of December 20, up to January 3, 2025 to free up space along carriageways.
• Tow trucks and other emergency vehicles are also being pre-positioned at strategic areas to be able to respond to incidents quickly.

Meanwhile, SMC Infrastructure has stepped up its coordination with the traffic management offices of local government units, to minimize traffic bottlenecks in their jurisdictions.

Congestion at local roads usually contribute to traffic flow at expressway exits, which in turn trigger vehicular congestion at the carriageways.

“We appeal to our motorists for patience as we anticipate heavy traffic around Metro Manila, which may affect their travel plans or scheduled flights. We advise them to plan their trips ahead and allot more time for travel, to make sure they arrive at their destinations on time,” the company said.

The expressway operator reminded motorists to ensure they have enough load in their Autosweep RFID accounts, to prevent delays at exits

Motorists are also asked to avoid tailgating at toll plazas so that RFID scanners can read their tags properly.

For those who have not yet registered, the company encourages motorists to sign up for Autosweep RFID, which is free of charge. Loading Autosweep RFID accounts is quick and convenient through electronic payment systems, online banking, e-wallets, or by visiting Autosweep customer service centers and kiosks located across the expressway network.

Additionally, SMC Infrastructure advises motorists to check their vehicles before traveling to ensure they are roadworthy and avoid potential incidents while on the expressways.

For road emergencies, motorists can contact the following hotlines for assistance:

• Skyway System and NAIAx (02-53188655 or 0917-5398762);
• SLEX (049-5087539 or 0917-6877539);
• STAR Tollway (043-7567870 or 0917-5117827);
• TPLEX (0917-8880715)