Philippines slashes toll fees for buses, jeepneys, and cargo trucks

Public transport and freight vehicles in the Philippines will soon benefit from toll rebates on major expressways. Starting 23 March, discounts will apply to selected public utility vehicles (PUVs) and cargo trucks on NLEX, SLEX, and STAR Tollway. The move follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s order to stabilise fares and reduce transport costs for both passengers and goods.

The rebate program targets Class 1 PUVs such as jeepneys and buses, along with Class 2 and Class 3 freight trucks. Qualified vehicles will receive weekly credits after passing through the toll gates. Savings vary by class: Class 1 vehicles can cut costs by up to ₱18 per end-to-end trip, while Class 2 and Class 3 trucks may save ₱47 and ₱72, respectively.

The initiative runs for two months initially but could be extended. Over 15,000 public vehicles and 5,000 freight units participated in the 2025 audits, reflecting the program's scale. It complements other relief measures, including a ₱5,000 fuel subsidy already given to tricycle drivers in Metro Manila, with plans to expand this nationwide. President Marcos Jr. had earlier suspended fare hikes for PUVs and pushed for broader support. The toll discounts aim to ease financial pressure on drivers and help control the price of goods. With around 1.2 million registered PUVs and 800,000 freight vehicles in the country, the program could bring widespread relief.

The rebates will be automatically credited to RFID accounts of eligible vehicles. The discounts apply to three key expressways, covering a large portion of Luzon's transport network. If extended beyond two months, the program may further reduce operating costs for thousands of drivers and logistics firms.