Compensate SLEx motorists for wasted fuel, lost man-hours

The proposed toll rebate for motorists taking the north-bound South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) who suffer because of the construction of additional lanes on the Alabang portion has basis — that is, to compensate motorists for the extra fuel that is wasted while inching in traffic for hours, and for the productivity man-hours wasted by people inside their cars.

I myself have suffered wasted fuel and lost man-hours because motorists who want to avoid the “carmaggedon” now divert to the Filinvest Skyway northbound ramp. This diversion then causes a pileup of cars lining up to get to that ramp. What used to be a smooth sailing access is now a huge bottleneck, because that access ramp is only single-lane.

There is “material” loss for suffering motorists in terms of wasted fuel and man-hours, so there should be material compensation, too, hence the proposed rebate is welcome.

KEL PASCUAL
[email protected]