Closing of EDSA u-turn slot costs PUJ drivers more time, expenses

Several drivers on Tuesday lamented the closing of the u-turn slot in front of Panorama which they use to cross the Congressional Avenue, leading them to shorten their trips.

According to Mark Salazar’s report on “24 Oras,” the closed u-turn increased the distance the drivers need to travel by more than six kilometers. The lack of the u-turn slot also caused them to go through heavy traffic.

“Sa jeep po namin, animan ‘yung sakay, pag umikot ako talong-talo ho talaga. Tapos ‘yung boundary pa ho. Wala na ho talaga kaming kikitain,” a driver said.

“Mahirap po, malayo. Kaya hindi na po namin magawa mag Project 8. Pinuputol ko na po kasi malayo, eh. Lalo na po pag hapon. Kawawa naman po kami,” another driver said.

Meanwhile, a taxi driver said the fare of his passengers reached around P200 from P100 after the closure.

“Dati ho mga P100 lang ho ‘yung ano nila diyan. Ngayon umaabot na ho ng P200 ‘yung kanilang bill,” he said.

Despite this, the Metropolitan Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will not stop its plan to close 13 u-turn slots in EDSA.

“Bagama’t malayo, pero moving. At naniniwala ho kami sa aming simulation, mas convenient para ho sa mga pribadong motorista,” said MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago.  -- Joahna Lei Casilao/BAP, GMA News