Traffic authorities in Mandaue City claims the rerouting scheme implemented this week eliminated illegal terminals and improved traffic flow in major thoroughfares.
Edwin Ermac, head of Traffic Enforcement Agency in Mandaue (TEAM) told the reporters yesterday he noticed the decongestion of traffic.
The transport sector on the other hand welcomed the three-day old experimental rerouting saying it eliminated the illegal terminals along M.C. Briones Street and helped ease the traffic in the major traffic bottlenecks.
Romeo Armamento, president of Mandaue United Drivers’ Associations and spokesman of Northern Alliance of PUJ Drivers said the illegal terminals are located in the Northern Atrium and infront of San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
“Nalipay jud mi tungod kay dili nami makabayad sa P40 per trip sa mga dispatchers (We are happy since we no longer pay P40 per trip to the dispatchers), said Armamento.
However, he noticed that a new illegal terminal at A.S. Fortuna St. near Norkis building has started operating with the rerouting.
Armamento during a press conference held yesterday at Mandaue City Hall said they have also observed that the flow of traffic at Metro Gaisano and at corner Caltex and SMC significantly improved with the rerouting.
Ermac admitted that one of the purposes of the rerouting “is to be true to the city’s image of being business-friendly,” referring to J Centre Mall which is now along the route of most PUJs.
He said they have implemented a similar rerouting for S and R, new Public Market, Colonnade and Gaisano Capital in Casuntingan.
Ermac however clarified not all PUJs will be required to pass J Centre Mall. Exempted are PUJs plying the Consolacion, Compostela and Liloan routes.
Also exempted from the rerouting are PUJs with numbers ending in even numbers plying routes in Mandaue.
PUJs plying the Lapu-Lapu route are not required at present to follow the rerouting.
Ermac said they are implementing a “no parking zone” at L. Jayme Street and V. Albano Street, and the corner of M.L. Quezon Street.
The rerouting experiment is based on a City Council resolution approved last Nov. 9 and was intended to run for 60-days. After which, they will again consult the public whether to make the scheme permanent.
But Erman said, they may not take the whole 60-day period and may lift the rerouting experiment after 30 days, before they hold public consultation whether to make the rerouting permanent.
Douglas Chiongliu, assistant general manager of J Centre Mall said they will be put up a terminal in the mall to cater to the PUJ and assured the transport sector of an affordable terminal fee.
He added that they also placed some road signs to guide the riding public and jeepney drivers.
The rerouting experiment requires PUJs traveling M.C. Briones Street from northern towns and cities to turn right in L. Jayme Street, then turn left to Albaño Street to J Centre Mall terminal.
PUJ’s from J Centre Mall going to northern Cebu shall turn right in Albaño Street then turn right in M.L. Quezon Avenue and turn left to M.C. Briones Street and then to their respective destinations.
PUJ’s bound to Cebu City and Mandaue proper from J Centre Mall shall turn left to Albaño Street turn left to A.S. Fortuna Street to their destination.
PUJ’s from Foodland, Country Mall and Talamban travelling in A.S. Fortuna Street shall turn left to Albaño Street to J Centre Mall Terminal.
All PUJ’s plying the Lapu-Lapu City – Mandaue City route shall enter J Centre Mall while all tricycles coming from L. Jayme Street and M.L. Quezon Street shall also enter in J Centre Mall.