The SAT covers the inventory and maintenance of the toll collection systems, Lane Computer System protocols, and Plaza Computer System protocols, in which different test case scenarios are tested, including the processing of exempted vehicle and towed vehicle, as well as the processing of low balance and invalid RFID transaction, among others.

During the inspection, TRB’s newly-appointed Executive Director, Atty. Alvin A. Carullo, explained the essence of conducting the Site Acceptance Test for the Electronic Toll Collection.

“Mahalaga po ang tinatawag na SAT dahil para po masiguro namin na tatakbo ang ating Electronic Toll Collection System ng maayos, mabilis, matiwasay at ligtas para sa ating lahat, specially sa mga toll road users,” ED Carullo said.

He added, “Ibig sabihin po, dapat tama po 'yung mga toll rate, tapos po dapat mabilis ang pagbasa sa RFID tag kasi importante ito para maiwasan po 'yung paghaba ng pila sa mga toll plaza at tsaka ang pagkumpul-kumpol ng mga sasakyan.”

The 18.83-kilometer elevated expressway from Buendia, Makati City to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Balintawak, Quezon City serves a vital role on decongesting traffic in Metro Manila, especially along EDSA, CP Garcia (C5), and other major roads in Metro Manila (i.e. Quezon Ave., Araneta Ave., Nagtahan and Quirino Ave.). Through the Skyway Stage 3, travel time from Buendia to Balintawak has been reduced from 2 hours to approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Previously, the TRB gave its approval for the provisional toll rates.

The rates for Class 1 vehicles are as follows:

• Buendia to Sta. Mesa – P 105.00
• Sta. Mesa to Ramon Magsaysay – P 30.00
• Ramon Magsaysay to NLEX Balintawak – P 129.00
• Buendia to NLEX Balintawak – P 264.00

Toll fees for Class 2 vehicles, or buses ,trucks and cars with trailers are:

• Buendia to Sta. Mesa – P 210.00
• Sta. Mesa to Ramon Magsaysay – P 60.00
• Ramon Magsaysay to NLEX Balintawak – 258.00
• Buendia to NLEX Balintawak – P 528.00

Meanwhile, toll fees for Class 3 vehicles are:

• Buendia to Sta. Mesa – P 315.00
• Sta. Mesa to Ramon Magsaysay – P 90.00
• Ramon Magsaysay to NLEX Balintawak – P 387.00
• Buendia to NLEX Balintawak – P 792.00

The TRB says that the provisional toll fee matrix will be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation.

The agency notes though that the approval of the provisional toll rates does not provide the go signal for San Miguel Corporation to immediately start their collections. TRB must issue a Notice to Start Collection.