Pasig’s traffic experiment showing results, exec claims

Two days after the launch of a localized odd-even traffic scheme, the Pasig City traffic bureau claimed success in drastically reducing congestion on up to six busy streets in the city.

Still, Traffic and Parking Management Office chief Alberto Dulay Sr. conceded that while traffic in these areas had eased up, the “experimental” measure may have inconvenienced car owners.

“A little sacrifice is what we need from the public. After all, this is for the benefit of the majority,” Dulay, a retired police senior superintendent, told the Inquirer in an interview on Friday.

On Aug. 16, the city started imposing restrictions on the westbound lane of F. Legazpi Bridge, stretching from East Bank Road to M. Eusebio Avenue. On Thursday, the coverage was expanded to include the westbound lane of Elisco Road; the northbound lane of R. Jabson Street; the intersection of Elisco Road and M. Concepcion and R. Jabson Streets; the eastbound lane of San Guillermo Street, and the northbound lane of Sandoval Avenue.

Vehicles with license plates ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 are banned from using these streets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Those with plates ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 cannot use them on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Dulay said the last two days had seen a “drastic” reduction of vehicles in these roads, noting that the usual 30 minutes it took for motorists to reach C. Raymundo Avenue from Eastbank Road during rush hour were reduced to 15 minutes.

Lydia Gutana, head of the city traffic engineering division, said they had not received any reports so far of spillovers in nearby roads, except on the oft-congested Ortigas Avenue.