Whoopdedoo.
I learnt this afternoon that starting Friday, NLEX will be charging P42 for the Balintawak-Bocaue route. P42!!! Forty two friggin pesos. That's a 460% increase from the usual P9!! If there is a 460% increase in toll fees, then it SHOULD follow that there be a 460% increase in the quality of the highway too, right? So let's see... let me honestly list down all the wonderful changes that the NLEX has undergone in the past three years:
1. 100% increase in the quality of the roads. Well, let's wait for the heavy rains to wreak havoc on the newly paved asphalt roads to see whether there really is a 100% increase in the quality of the roads.
2. More toll booths. There are at least 12 new toll booths in the NLEX exit. But, only half of them are opened, as the number of vehicles entering the NLEX is not that big.
3. Wider roads. There used to be two lanes. Now, there are four.
4. Some electronic sign that tells motorists that the NLEX is still in its dry run. I have often wondered what this gadget's purpose was. It would be good if it can show updates on the traffic situation on nearby major roads.
If these changes can be quantified, will they be enough to make up for the 460% increase?
If I'm freaking out about the 460% increase, then how must the people in Meycauayan and Valenzuela be feeling? Toll fees there used to be cheaper -- around P6. But NLEX will be charging a flat rate of P42 from Balintawak to Bocaue. That's a 700% increase for them. Tsk tsk tsk.
That's the price you pay for improvements on NLEX, some might say. Okay, okay. I am willing to pay a higher price for the improvements. A 250% increase would still be acceptable. Even a 300% increase would be okay. But 460%?!?! That's just plain highway robbery.
When I was preparing our office budget for 2005, I made an allowance for the expected increase in toll fees -- by estimating an increase of 300%. So now, we're looking for ways to cut down on transportation costs. My mom suggested that I pack up my stuff Sunday evenings, go to work on Mondays, and stay there for the rest of the week until Saturday mornings. Wow. I love my mom. I really do.
And what about our delivery trucks? For sure, the increase for trucks and other Class B vehicles would be more than 460%. We had thought of asking them to take MacArthur Highway instead, but that would mean an increase in overtime pay and gasoline expenses due to the very, very heavy traffic situation there. It's a no win situation for us and win-win for the Lopezes!!
Whoopdedoo.
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