Sotto calls for temporary break from toll fees

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MANILA – Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III has sought for the temporary holiday from toll fees for motorists who will travel via the major expressways in order to lessen traffic on these roads as motorists return to Manila following the long holiday break.

Moreover, Sotto said that this is a good gesture to the public. He also shared that he is currently studying the toll fee break to be a regular service during holidays, including Christmas, New Year, Holy Week, and All Saints’ Day among others.

He said that this will also lessen the traffic situation brought about by the failure of toll operators to hasten their services during holidays.

“There are only a handful of holidays in the country. I hope that they can consider this suggestion as a way of giving back to the public,” said Sotto.

He added. “As soon as the Senate resumes its session after the Christmas break, I will file a resolution that would seek to review the franchise or charter of the Toll Regulatory Board.”

Sotto is also supporting the call of Senate President Franklin Drilon to install a synchronized toll collection system that connects expressways to prevent delays in vehicle movement. This came after Drilon’s questioning on the current system of toll operators after motorists experienced 11-hour-long travel to Baguio City from Manila because of long lines at toll plazas.

According to Drilon, the heavy traffic was because motorists have to make various stops to pay the toll fees. Thus, he is proposing for a new integrated system to speed up the current collection of toll fees at expressways.