No Christmas traffic scheme – MMDA
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will not introduce any new vehicle volume reduction measures for the holiday season where traffic is expected to be heaviest with a 20 percent increase.
“It is hard to introduce a new traffic scheme or system to motorists at this point that we are now experiencing traffic jam as the holiday draws near,” said MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim.
Three proposed traffic measures, including two-day number coding, one-way all the way along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and carpooling program, have been placed under review by the MMDA’s traffic engineering department.
Lim said the MMDA will conduct simulation of three traffic reduction measures to determine their effectiveness in easing Metro Manila traffic.
“The implementation of any of these schemes may be early next year,” said Lim.
The proposed two-day coding scheme is intended to lessen the volume of cars plying the roads of Metro Manila while the “one way, all the way” scheme proposed the conversion of EDSA into a highway for southbound vehicles and C5 Road for northbound vehicles.
The carpooling program is aimed to encourage motorists to share a ride with others. Under the proposed carpooling program, drivers with three or more passengers would be exempted from the existing number coding scheme.
“At anytime, their vehicles can traverse EDSA without the fear of being apprehended for number coding scheme,” said Garcia,
Drivers with no passengers may no longer ply along EDSA and would be directed to use alternative routes going to their destinations.
“After the simulation, we need to present a scientific data if it is effective or not,” said Jojo Garcia, MMDA assistant general manager for planning.
Ahead of Christmas, the MMDA has taken steps to help ease the traffic jams that are expected during the holidays.
These steps include convincing shopping mall operators to adjust their operating hours from the usual 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and conducting relentless clearing operations against illegal parking and other obstructions on Metro Manila’s major roads.