The Undas traffic rush awaits motorists this coming long weekend. From October 29 to November 3, the volume of cars on various expressways is expected to increase by up to 12%. With that, SMC Infrastructure and the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) have given updates on their traffic management preparations. Here’s what to expect.
Starting with SMC, the company said it is coordinating with various government agencies and local government units to manage traffic congestion. Under the Department of Transportation’s Oplan Biyaheng Ayos, the company will have full staff operating on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Skyway System, STAR Tollway, NAIA Expressway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).
24-hour emergency assistance desks will operate from Petron Service Stations, while quick-response teams, ambulances, tow trucks, and fire engines will be deployed at strategic locations on the expressways. Traffic monitoring centers will also operate around the clock, while roadworks will be suspended from 12pm on October 29, and will resume at 10pm on November 3.
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Meanwhile, MPTC will implement its Biyaheng Arangkada program along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), NLEX Connector, Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).
Under the program, 24-hour customer assistance will be available through the service hotline 1-35000 or the MPT DriveHub app, while medical teams will be on standby at designated sections along the expressways. Free bottled water will also be available at roadside assistance stations.
There will also be additional support available on specific tollways. These include 24-hour basic mechanical services in select Rest and Refuel Stations along NLEX and SCTEX, and along toll plazas on CAVITEX and CALAX. EV charging stations and free WiFi will also be available at select Rest and Refuel Stations along NLEX.
Meanwhile, free towing services to the nearest exit will be available on CCLEX for Class 1 and Class 1M vehicles. These towing services start at 6am on October 30 and end at 6am on November 3. Similar to SMC, roadworks on the MPTC expressways will also be suspended until November 3.
Both infrastructure companies remind motorists to prepare for their trips beforehand. These reminders include ensuring sufficient load in their RFIDs, planning the most efficient route, and checking their vehicles for any mechanical problems. For additional tips on tackling long drives on a budget, you can check out our eight penny-pinching tip sheet here.
As always, drive safely and check in on yourself—especially after multiple hours on the road. No destination is worth rushing to if you’re not feeling well behind the wheel. For emergencies and roadside assistance, you can take note of these hotlines:
SMC Infrastructure expressway hotlines:
- SLEX: 0917-687-7539
- STAR Tollway: 0917-511-7827 / (043) 756-7870
- TPLEX: 0917-888-0715
- Skyway: (02) 5318-8655
MPTC expressway hotlines:
- NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, CALAX, and CCLEX: 1-35000
