The Skyway System has angered hundreds, even thousands, of commuters travelling from the south that were held up for hours early this morning, January 29, by the new toll system.
Skyway O&M Corp. (Skyway SOMCO), operator of the Skyway System, opened two newly completed runway toll plaza in the northbound section near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The first toll plaza, also called Runway A, consists of three lanes dedicated to Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system.
Meanwhile, the other toll plaza, called Runway B, is dedicated to four cash lanes with up to five tellers.
According to a statement released by Skyway SOMCO, the new system aims to "facilitate faster toll collection on the Skyway’s elevated section."
So this is the reason why there’s a new toll booth along the skyway. @SkywaySOMCO pic.twitter.com/EAv6Z6qZaZ
— DJ Slick Rick (@_slickrick) January 24, 2018
But the people affected by the new toll scheme are in uproar, and celebrities are venting their ire via Twitter.
Director Erik Matti wrote, "@SkywaySOMCO this additional toll booth at skyway just to remit tickets is another lame solution to slowdown traffic going to Edsa. But with this addtl 30min to remit the ticket, what’s the point of using the skyway? Might as well go through SLEX. Libre pa. #perwisyolangalamnyo"
@SkywaySOMCO this additional toll booth at skyway just to remit tickets is another lame solution to slowdown traffic going to Edsa. But with this addtl 30min to remit the ticket, what’s the point of using the skyway? Might as well go through SLEX. Libre pa. #perwisyolangalamnyo
— Erik Matti (@ErikMatti) January 28, 2018
Director Jose Javier Reyes tweeted, "You pay over P100 and more to@use the Skyway only to be stuck in worse traffic than the SLEX because of their New system of ticket payment. What sort of Management operates this system? DON’T waste your money on the Skyway!"
You pay over P100 and more to@use the Skyway only to be stuck in worse traffic than the SLEX because of their New syatem of ticket payment. What sort of Management operates this system? DON’T waste your money on the Skyway!
— Joey Javier Reyes (@DirekJoey) January 29, 2018
I have been stick in traffic for over an hour because of this “New system”.! How many idiots run the Skyway?!
— Joey Javier Reyes (@DirekJoey) January 29, 2018
Radio DJs Slick Rick and Andi Manzano, meanwhile, issued warnings.
Please avoid the Skyway! Stay at ground level. Traffic is backed up. Nice job @SkywaySOMCO ????????????????????
— DJ Slick Rick (@_slickrick) January 29, 2018
Skyway is the new EDSA. ???? such a bad idea to move the toll in the middle of the skyway. #REFUND
— Andi Manzano Reyes (@andimanzano) January 29, 2018
TV host Anthony Pangilinan almost missed his flight because of the traffic.
To skyway management, am just about to miss my flight. Over 2 hours to get to terminal 3, double usual time due to a skyway toll booth relocation that messed up whole of slex NB. How can you do this & without fair warning? Anyone accountable? @SkywaySOMCO
— Anthony Pangilinan (@apangilinan) January 29, 2018
Beauty queen Mariel de Leon questioned the purpose of the new toll plaza.
What is the point of the new toll gate on the Skyway?
— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) January 29, 2018
It’s causing so much traffic. No point in naming it the “Skyway” anymore.
Many netizens also aired their dismay.
i am for change, but for the better. apprently management of #Skyway is too stupid to let it all out on one day. the changes should have been done gradually. So where is customer service? @SkywaySOMCO @SouthSnippets
— Vlad de Ramos (@vladyderamos) January 29, 2018
Skywait not skyway https://t.co/mlqOz1rbVy
— Patrick Velez (@patmaaaaan) January 29, 2018
Ano bang meron ngayong araw na 'to? Sobrang lala ng traffic! Lalo na sa skyway, pag sakay ko palang nkatulog nko paggising ko andun pdin ako
— camille barrientos (@happyyMILLE) January 29, 2018
The new Skyway toll and the traffic it's causing make me wanna get outta Manila ASAP ????
— Don Juan (@_sbstnm) January 29, 2018
@SkywaySOMCO HI PO! ANLAKING PERWISYO PO GINAWA NIYO PO SA SKYWAY PO. ANDAMI PONG NALATE PO DAHIL SA INYO PO. MAS OKAY PA PO YUNG DALOY NG TRAFFIC SA SERVICE ROAD PO. GREAT SERVICE PO PARA SA INYO!
— J (@erjolocsin) January 29, 2018
At press time, southerntollways.com has reported light traffic for north-bound and south-bound vehicles.
Skyway SOMCO has also apologized for the inconvenience the new traffic scheme has caused the commuting public.
“We apologize for any delay this adjustment to a new system might cause — particularly in the first few days of implementation,” Skyway SOMCO told alabangbulletin.com.