The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will study the return of number coding as it is expected to increase traffic flow in EDSA with the start of billing at Skyway Stage 3, according to its head.
About 100,000 vehicles pass through the Skyway every day, and 80 percent of them use RFID, according to MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos. About 20,000 could go through EDSA as an alternative, he added.
“That’s additional 20,000 vehicles. Ang capacity ng EDSA is more or less about 388,000 na tayo eh pero humi-hit pa tayo minsan ng 399,000,” he said.
“Kung dadagdag itong 20,000, you could just imagine. Pinagaaralan namin kung ibabalik namin ang number coding.”
Number coding was suspended last year due to a lack of public transportation due to the pandemic.
MMDA expects an increase in the number of vehicles using EDSA starting Monday, due to the implementation of the toll fee for those passing through Skyway Stage 3.
MMDA to study return of number coding
As a result, MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said they are already arranging 19 ‘live lanes’ or routes that can be traversed as an alternative to EDSA.
“Kung sa Monday ay medyo sumikip ng konti sa EDSA, please consider these Mabuhay Lanes. Maganda ito, shortcut ito. It’s practically simple. Kung galing ka norte at punta ka south, dito ka na dumaan. This is alternative route,” said Abalos.
New signs were put up on various roads designated Mabuhay Lanes so as not to confuse motorists.
The agency also plans to conduct another clearing operation to ease the roads. Coordination is also needed in the barangays because many roads have tents and other barriers used due to the pandemic.
“‘Yung ibang mga espasyo ginamit ng LGU. Di natin masisisi dahil ‘yung iba para sa bakuna na apektado sila, ‘yung iba naman naparadahan papunta sa bakuna center. We want to make sure before Monday all of these routes are very clear and very clean for everyone,” said Abalos.
The MMDA is already in talks with the mayors of Metro Manila to fix the traffic problem in the area.
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