Expressways gear up for 2019 ’Undas’ exodus
MANILA, Philippines — Major expressways are now gearing up for the anticipated 10 percent volume increase of travelers during the “Undas.”
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the holding company of North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), and Manila–Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx), on Thursday assured commuters of “faster, safer, and more comfortable travels.”
Starting Oct. 25 to Nov. 4, NLEx-SCTEx traffic personnel will closely monitor and manage the influx of motorists in Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, Bocaue, Sta. Ines, Tarlac, and Tipo toll plazas, MPTC said.
Additional patrol and incident response teams will also be deployed in “strategic” areas to assist motorists, while speed and lane management teams will also be on heightened alert to enforce traffic discipline, MPTC added.
On peak periods from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2, the Balintawak Toll Plaza will open a maximum of 24 toll collection points, while Mindanao Avenue, Tarlac, and Tipo toll plazas will open a maximum of 10, 15, and 6 toll collection points, respectively, to lessen motorist waiting time at the toll plazas.
Meanwhile, from Nov. 1 to 4, the Bocaue Toll Barrier will have a maximum of 55 collection points for Manila-bound motorists.
Cavitex will also deploy more patrol teams to manage the traffic and assist motorists, MPTC said.
The MPTC added that construction along the mainline road at the NLEx-SCTEx-Cavitex will be suspended from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4 unless safety repairs are necessary.
Free calls, Wi-Fi, drinking water, basic mechanic services, and first aid treatment will be available for motorists at designated locations along the expressways.
Free towing services to the nearest exit for Class 1 vehicles from 6 a.m. on Oct. 30 to 6 a.m. Nov. 4 will also be available, the firm added.
Real-time traffic situation will be posted on the Facebook accounts of NLEx Corporation and CAVITEx from October 30 to November 4. Hotlines (NLEX-SCTEX:1-35000; CAVITEX:165-8888; CAVITEX C5 LINK: 1-5000) will also be ready to address customer concerns.
Toll and traffic systems enhancements
Aside from measures implemented only during Undas season, the MPTC said it has also continued to enhance toll and traffic systems “to boost customer experience.”
It said that it has installed 11 more exclusive RFID lanes at NLEx, six of which are located at the Bocaue barrier, and five at Balintawak barrier. This increases the total number of electronic toll collection lanes to 40.
“EasyTrip” RFID drive through reloading lanes have also been opened since Oct. 15 for light vehicles at lane NO4 in Balintawak and lane X06 in Bocaue, from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. /je
