SMC waives expressways toll on New Year’s Eve

SAN MIGUEL CORP. (SMC) recently waived toll fees on Christmas Eve, and said it will again do so across its expressway network on New Year’s Eve. The annual practice, aimed at easing holiday travel, applies to all SMC-operated tollways including the Skyway System, NAIA Expressway (NAIAX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR Tollway, and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).

Tolls will be waived from 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 6 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026, the company said. SMC said the toll waiver is intended to benefit motorists traveling late at night to reach their families during the holidays.

SMC Infrastructure said it has placed safety and security personnel on heightened alert and rolled out measures to manage the expected increase in traffic during the holiday period. Additional patrol and security personnel have been deployed in critical areas, while emergency response teams have been placed on standby to quickly clear road obstructions, the company said. Traffic monitoring centers across SMC-operated expressways are staffed around the clock to track traffic conditions and coordinate with emergency responders. Roadworks that may affect traffic flow have been suspended until Jan. 4, 2026 to help ease congestion.

Tow trucks and other emergency vehicles have also been placed at strategic locations to ensure faster response to incidents. SMC Infrastructure advised motorists to plan their trips ahead to allow for extra travel time, and to ensure sufficient balance in their Autosweep accounts to avoid delays at toll plazas. The company added it has coordinated with local government units and national agencies to help manage traffic on public roads connecting to the expressways.