Motorists traveling to and from Southern Luzon will face higher travel costs on the first day of 2026 as new toll rate adjustments take effect for both the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway.
The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) announced on Friday that the price hikes, which vary depending on the vehicle class and distance traveled, will begin implementation on January 1, 2026.
SLEX Rate Adjustments
For the Alabang to Calamba section of SLEX, the TRB has approved the following new rates:
• Class 1 (Cars/SUVs): ₱126 (up by ₱10)
• Class 2 (Buses/Small Trucks): ₱253 (up by ₱21)
• Class 3 (Large Trucks/Trailers): ₱379 (up by ₱31)
For the Calamba to Sto. Tomas segment, motorists will see smaller increases of ₱3, ₱5, and ₱8 for Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles, respectively.
STAR Tollway Hikes
The STAR Tollway, which connects Laguna to Batangas City, will also implement a two-section adjustment. For Section 1 (Sto. Tomas to Lipa), the new rates are:
• Class 1: ₱60
• Class 2: ₱119
• Class 3: ₱179
For Section 2 (Lipa to Batangas City), the tolls will rise to ₱53 for Class 1, ₱106 for Class 2, and ₱159 for Class 3.
Sustainability and Maintenance
The TRB stated that these adjustments are necessary to ensure the continued “operations, maintenance, and improvements” of the expressways.
The board emphasized that the revenue would fund safety enhancements and faster travel experiences for the thousands of commuters who use the southern arteries daily.
The announcement comes just as toll operators San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) prepare to waive fees temporarily for the year-end holidays.
Motorists can still enjoy free passage on SLEX and STAR Tollway from 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 6 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026, before the new rates officially kick in.
