Dubbed “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko (SMSK),” the motorists’ assistance program is aimed at enhancing all services along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), and Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) for a safe and comfortable journey.
Glenn G. Campos, NLEx Corp. AVP for technology and operations management, said the SMSK will improve the traffic management and toll collection services during the Lenten Season.
For those going north, heavy volume of vehicles is expected in the afternoon of April 12 until late morning of April 13, Campos said during the “Talk Widus” media forum organized by the Pampanga Press Club at the Widus Hotel and Casino here on Wednesday.
Those travelling back to Manila may expect the surge in traffic in the afternoon of April 15 until the early morning of April 17, he added.
Campos said from April 7 to 17, additional patrol vehicles and enforcers will be deployed to assist motorists. He added that ambulant toll tellers equipped with portable toll collection gadgets will also be fielded to speed up toll transactions.
Campos said during the same period, all road works will be suspended to ensure smooth traffic flow.
He said to better serve motorists on April 7, 8, 12 and 13, the Balintawak toll plaza will open a maximum of 30 toll collection points instead of the usual 16 and the Mindanao Avenue toll plaza will also increase its toll collection points to 15 from five.
Toll collection points in Tarlac toll plaza will be increase to 29 instead of five while the Tipo toll plaza will have 12 toll collection points instead of four, he added.
Southbound motorists may also experience further conveniences from April 15 and 16 as the Bocaue toll plaza opens a maximum of 53 toll collection points, Campos said.
On April 12 to 16, Campos said, MPTC and its partners will provide free services such as free calls and wi-fi , free basic mechanic services and first aid treatments in the designated locations along NLEx, SCTEx and Cavitex.
Free towing services to the nearest exit will be offered to class 1 vehicles from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and free drinking water will also be available to SMSK motorists’ camps in SCTEx PTT station, Floridablanca lay-by, Seaoil station at Cavitex Paranaque and Kawit toll plazas, he added.
SMSK is co-presented by Caltex and supported by Kopiko, Pilipinas Shell, Pru Life U.K., Smart, Maynilad Water, HBC, Chowking, Bridgestone, City Mall, Banana Boat and media partners TV5, Rescue 5, The Philippine Star, Business World and Manila Bulletin.
