Real time traffic advisory on NLEX, SCTEX now online

MALOLOS CITY—The Tollways Management Corporations (TMC) is now implementing a real time travel advisory for the expressways north of Manila, saying it’s the first of its kind in the country.

The travel advisory is available online on www.tollways.net.ph and can be viewed on desktop computers or mobile gadgets like smartphones and ad IPads.

“This is one of two innovations we are implementing in time for the Halloween weekend,” said Benigno Valles, TMC senior manager for corporate communications.

The other innovation is the Lakbay Norte Pass which will ensure faster transactions on toll plaza’s as motorists will not have to pay cash for toll fee.

Valles said that both innovations were designed for the motorists’ comfort especially those who will travel to provinces north of Manila before and after the All Saints day weekend.

Like in the past, the TMC which operates the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) is expecting a 15 to 20 percent increase in traffic volume on both expressways before and after the Halloween break.

Records show that average daily traffic volume along the NLEX is at least 155,000 vehicles. It is expected to climb to about 200,000.

Valles said that with the new innovations, motorists can plan their travel.

He added, “if they monitored that traffic flow along NLEx is slow, they can stop and rest for the meantime at gas stations along the expressway.”

 Updated every minute, the TMC website according to Valles not only shows traffic conditions on real time basis and real time travel time from one toll plaza to another. It also provides advisory in case of accidents or road repairs.

He said that it can also be accessed using smartphones with internet connection, but he also advised drivers to have a navigator to read the advisories for them while driving.

With regards to the Lakbay Norte pass launched last week, he said that it can be used from October 31 to November 4 by motorists driving Class 1 vehicle cars and passenger vans.

A magnetic swipe card, the Lakbay Norte Pass is a prepaid toll card available to Class 1 vehicles going to Dau, Tarlac and Subic and those travelling back to Manila.

However, Valles said that Lakbay Norte Pass has only one way value with specific areas for use.

The one way trip toll value of the prepaid cards are as follows, P218 for vehicles traveling NLEx Balintawak/Mindanao Avenue to Dau or vice versa; P322.for NLEx Balintawak/Mindanao Avenue to Tarlac or vice versa and P408 for NLEx Balintawak/Mindanao Avenue to Subic or vice versa .

Lanes dedicated to Lakbay Norte Pass holders are located at the Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, Dau, Bocaue Tarlac and Subic toll gates.

The Lakbay Norte Pass can be bought at the NLEx Customer Service Centers in Balintawak, Valenzuela, Bocaue, Tabang and San Fernando and Shell stations in A. Bonifacio, Mindanao Avenue, Barangay Bahay Toro and Santolan, Quezon City, Buendia, Makati and at the SBMA Tipo Total Gas station.