EDSA Traffic resembles holiday season flow as Skyway Stage 3 opens

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Friday that after the Skyway Stage 3 became fully operational, the flow of vehicles along EDSA had become so smooth that it resembled the flow of traffic during the holiday season.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras," MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said the agency immediately felt the effect of the opening.

“Medyo hindi na masakit ang ulo namin, no? Nabawsan na ‘yung sakit ng ulo, no. Kasi nga before ‘yan talagang grabe. Talagang bumper to bumper. Pero lahat ngayon running siya,” Garcia said.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Garcia said vehicles traveled at an average speed of 7 to 12 kilometers per hour on EDSA.

But now vehicles travel at an average of 20 to 30 kilometers per hour.

“Ngayon pagdating ng 10 a.m., 11, 12, 1, 2, 3. Aba parang holiday, parang linggo, diba? Uma-average na ata tayo ngayon ng 20 to 30 kilometers per hour. So talagang drastic ‘yung pagbabago,” Garcia said.

Based on the petition filed by the Skyway Stage 3 to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), it may charge P270 for vehicles traveling from Buendia to Balintawak.

Meanwhile, vehicles traveling from Buendia to Ramon Magsaysay Avenue may be charged P141 while P133 will be charged for vehicles coming from Ramon Magsaysay Ave. to Balintawak.

“‘Yun ang hiling nila. Sa ngayon, hindi natin puwedeng masabi na ‘yan ang ipapataw nila sapagka’t ‘yan po ay dadaan pa sa proseso at sa masusing pag-aaral po ng ating tanggapian,” TRB spokesperson Julius Corpuz said.

At present, vehicles from Alabang going to Magallanes are charged P164.

“‘Yung kinakailangan po, tayo ay magdaraos ng public hearing. At ‘yan naman po ang normal na proseso natin bago tayo magpatupad ng mga toll fee,” Corpuz said. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News