Number coding during rush hours in Metro Manila to begin Dec. 1

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is reimposing the number coding scheme in Metro Manila beginning December 1, 2021, to lessen the volume of vehicles passing along Edsa and other major roads in the metropolis. INQUIRER.net photo / Jonathan Vicente

MANILA, Philippines — The re-implementation of the number coding scheme during rush hours in Metro Manila will begin on December 1, Wednesday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced.

The MMDA said the number coding scheme will be effective Mondays to Fridays, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., except on holidays, and will only cover private vehicles.

The authorities reminded motorists that vehicles with plates ending in 1 and 2 are prohibited on Monday, 3 and 4 on Tuesday, 5 and 6 on Wednesday, 7 and 8 on Thursday, 9 and 0 on Friday.

“Data shows that the travel speed along the northbound portion of EDSA is 9.66 kilometers per hour. Hence, we have to reinstate the number coding scheme during the afternoon rush hours to address the problem. We are trying to exhaust all options here,” MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said in a statement.

“The solution to this problem is efficient traffic management and mass transport system,” he added.

Exempted from the modified number coding scheme are public utility vehicles (including tricycles), transport network vehicle services (TNVS), motorcycles, garbage trucks, fuel trucks, motor vehicles carrying essential and/or perishable goods.

Meanwhile, Abalos said the light trucks ban along EDSA will be reimplemented, but with modification.

Light trucks shall be prohibited along EDSA between Magallanes, Makati City and North Avenue, Quezon City, both northbound and southbound, from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays, except holidays.

JPV