Traffic rerouting scheme due to MRT7 construction raises tempers in QC

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's (MMDA) newly implemented traffic rerouting scheme in Quezon City earned the ire of some residents and motorists on Monday.

A 24 Oras report by Susan Enriquez showed a heated argument between a resident and an MMDA officer, with the former complaining that their area in Masaya Street has become crowded as jeepney and UV express drivers have started loading and unloading passengers there.

The new traffic scheme only allows passenger buses reach Philcoa directly from Quezon Memorial Circle and then load and unload passengers there.

Jeepneys and UV express vehicles are rerouted to Maharlika and Masaya streets to get to Commonwealth Avenue.

Authorities said this plan aims to ease the traffic caused by the construction of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT7).

On the first day of implementation, some PUV drivers were apprehended by the MMDA.

"May mission orders po 'yan... nagpapatupad po kami ng batas, konting paggalang po," MMDA operations supervisor Bong Nebrija told a driver.

"Hindi naman po kasi naka-specify doon na kapag walang bababa dito, papasok pa rin po dito," the driver replied.

"Sir, nakaspecify po doon, PUJ, UV..." Nebrija insisted.

Other jeepney drivers also mentioned how their profits have been affected due to the traffic scheme.

"Dati-rati ho ang dami naming nakukuhang pasahero diyan pa lang sa ano... pagdating dito, wala na o?" one driver said.

The MMDA has caught more than 48 motorists for not following the traffic rules in the area, the report noted.

"Kahit anong gawin namin dito kung 'di naman sila sumusunod sa mga gusto nating ipasunod at hindi sila nagkocooperate ay wala ring mangyayari," MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said.

The MRT7 will be a 22-kilometer rail transit system with 14 stations connecting North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News