The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs), Public Utility Buses (PUBs), Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs), and cargo trucks or vehicles in freight services are eligible to receive a temporary toll discount. The discounted toll rates, which took effect on March 23, 2026, will run for a period of two months.
The implementation of discount toll rates on the transport sector is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to alleviate the impact of rising fuel prices. The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) shared that private concessionaires San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp (MPTC) will implement the discounted toll rates for two months, with a possible extension that’s subject to review.
SMC will provide toll rebates for select public utility vehicles and cargo trucks using the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR Tollway, and Muntinlupa Cavite Expressway. SMC added that eligible vehicles will receive rebates on a weekly basis, amounting to the difference between the current and previous toll rates at SLEX and STAR Tollway.
Here are the vehicles included in SMC’s toll rebate:
Class 1: PUJs and UV Express Vans
Class 2: PUBs and Modern Jeepneys
Class 3: Cargo Trucks and Trailers with three or more axles and over 7.5 feet in height
SMC explained that an eligible vehicle must be an active Autosweep user in good standing and must have no existing unsettled traffic violations anywhere along SMC’s expressway network. Moreover, vehicles with Autosweep To Go accounts must submit the required documents for full account verification at Autosweep customer service centers to ensure rebates are properly credited to legitimate owners or operators.
Eligible vehicles that continue to use cash must enroll in Autosweep and submit documentary requirements, including valid certificates of public convenience issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
SMC said that eligible vehicles can enroll until April 4, 2026. Rebates will be applied retroactively beginning on the date of complete submission of documentary requirements and will be credited weekly to qualified accounts.
MPTC, on the other hand, launched the KaBiyahe Rebate Program, a toll rebate initiative for accredited Class 2 PUBs and modernized jeepneys, as well as Class 3 vehicles traversing NLEX, SCTEX, and CAVITEX (R1 Expressway and R1-Expressway Extension).
Eligible Class 3 vehicles that will be eligible for the program must adhere to the following:
– A valid Easytrip subscriber in good standing with sufficient load,
– Not enrolled in any other toll rebate or discount programs on MPTC expressways, such as the Toll Exemption for Agricultural Trucks.
PUBs and modernized jeepneys must adhere to the following:
– Enroll in the KaBiyahe program by submitting the required documents via email to [email protected].
– Be accredited operators registered with the LTFRB.
– Be an Easytrip pre-paid account subscriber in good standing with sufficient load.
– Not enrolled in any other toll discount programs on MPTC toll roads.
The application period for PUBs and modernized jeepneys is until April 5, 2026.
Autocar’s Take
Every drop of fuel and every discount counts in today’s scenario, wherein the fuel prices are on an upward trend due to the conflict in the Middle East. As such, the discounted toll rates for the transport sector would be of big help to somehow alleviate the impact of rising fuel prices. Both SMC and MPTC will implement the discounted toll rates for two months, starting March 23, with a possible extension that’s subject to review, according to the Toll Regulatory Board.
As mentioned, this move is a welcome sight, especially for the transport sector. It would be nice if these discounted toll rates could also be applied to private vehicles. The latter might be asking for too much, but it would certainly be of great help for individuals who really need to drive to and from work.
