The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) are studying an extension of San Miguel Corp.’s concession agreement for the operation of Skyway Stage 3.
This comes as the government plans to open a portion of the elevated expressway for free use by motorists, which is expected to result in lost income for the conglomerate.
“We understand that this temporary arrangement might result in loss of income to SMC, the operator of Skyway,” the two agencies said in a joint statement. “In response, the DOTr and TRB are exploring options to grant SMC some reprieve, including possible extension of their concession agreement with the government.”
The DOTr and TRB said they are working to identify measures that would mitigate the projected revenue loss for San Miguel due to the planned “toll holiday” on select segments of Skyway Stage 3. This holiday is planned during construction for the EDSA Rebuild project.
The DOTr earlier announced that parts of Skyway Stage 3 would be free to help decongest EDSA during the rebuild works, in line with the President’s directive to lessen the impact of the project on commuters and motorists.
The DOTr said it looks forward to this “bayanihan” (community spirit) opportunity with the private sector to “somehow ease the burden of motorists and passengers while making EDSA better, safer and more convenient for everyone.”
