HPG: Rush-hour travel time on EDSA cut by 15-25 minutes

Published September 12, 2015 2:12pm

(Updated 8:10 p.m.) The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) is claiming that five days after it took over traffic management on EDSA, travel time during rush hours on Metro Manila's main artery has been cut by 15 to 25 minutes.

"Ang report ng HPG, ay isang linggong nakalapag siya diyan sa EDSA ay medyo bumibilis, nabawasan daw po (ang oras ng biyahe), at least during rush hour, between 15 and 25 minutes," Valte said, citing a report from the HPG.

She also reported the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority are implementing more measures this coming week to ease traffic on EDSA and other major roads in Metro Manila.

For the DPWH's part, Valte said the agency continues to clear obstructions from secondary roads that are being used as alternate routes by motorists who are avoiding EDSA during rush hours.

She said the DPWH is coordinating with the local government units of Pasay, Makati, and Quezon cities for the clearing operations.

Valte also assured that the DPWH is working double time to finish its projects around Metro Manila.

"Hopefully these measures, when taken together will contribute to the lessening of heaviness of the traffic along EDSA," she said.

No provincial buses on underpasses

Valte said that based on a new resolution by the MMDA, provincial buses will no longer be allowed to use underpasses along EDSA.

"Doon na lang po sila dapat sa yellow lane," Valte said, adding that the new measure is "effective immediately."

Provincial buses coming from Kamuning and Cubao areas are also not allowed to take EDSA, at least beyond P. Tuazon Avenue, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays. From P. Tuazon, the provincial buses will take C-5 Road.

Valte said that another MMDA resolution states that starting September 15, the total truck ban on EDSA will be from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m..

The existing truck ban on EDSA is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. except Sundays and holidays.

No-contact apprehension of buses

The Highway Patrol Group will also implement a "no-contact apprehension" policy on buses that violate traffic rules.

According to a radio dzBB report by JP Soriano on radio dzBB, said the policy is meant to avoid disrupting traffic on EDSA during apprehensions.

HPG chief Gunnacao said that under the policy, HPG personnel will take photos of the plate number of a passenger bus that will violate a traffic rule on EDSA.

The apprehension tickets will then be sent to the bus companies and coordinated with the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Gunnacao said they also get details, including names of the drivers, driver's licenses and license plate number with the corresponding bus body numbers from the LTO and the LTFRB and bus companies.

Aside from avoiding disrupting the traffic, the policy will also eliminate the possibility of extortion and bribery.

HPG to relocate some U-turn slots, bus stops

HPG director Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao said earlier that they will close some misplaced U-turn slots along EDSA, including the slot in front of Trinoma in Quezon City.

Gunnacao had also said that the HPG is also planning to move some bus stops along the main thoroughfare.

He said that based on the HPG's assessment, some U-turn slots and bus stops are contributing to EDSA's traffic problem.

A report on "News To Go" on Thursday said that motorists complained of heavy traffic even during non-rush hours on EDSA on Wednesday.

On Tuesday night, thousands of motorists got stuck in horrendous traffic on EDSA following a downpour in Metro Manila.

Even before the downpour, motorists complained of heavier traffic on EDSA since the HPG took over.

The HPG and the MMDA said that among the reasons for the heavy traffic on EDSA are the volume of vehicles, the discipline of motorists and the number of vehicular accidents. —ALG/JDS, GMA News

Tags: edsatraffic, mmda, highwaypatrolgroup