The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) plans to remove the number coding scheme window period in the National Capital Region (NCR) to improve traffic during the holiday season.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes said clarified that although this was already by the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the date of implementation of the no window hour coding scheme is still yet to be determined.
“Based on the approved resolution, the number coding will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and there will be no window hours,” MMDA chairman Romando Artes said.
He explained the new policy was among the solutions the agency and the MMC made to address issues during peak buying months, which are expected to be heavy in traffic.
The MMC, composed of the 17 mayors in Metro Manila, is the governing board and the policy-making body of the MMDA.
“We will assess first the situation of Metro Manila roads from Nov. 6 to 12, after the return of vacationers from the provinces for the Undas break. We expect 15 to 20% additional vehicle volume as the holiday nears, that’s the time we will decide whether or not to implement the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. number coding scheme in Metro Manila.”
He stressed that the current number coding hours, which is 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., will still be observed.
Records showed that traffic volume along EDSA rises 15 to 20 percent between November and December.
The MMDA also announced that fines for the violation of exclusive EDSA Bus Lane regulation will soon be increased as the agency noted private vehicles repeatedly disregarding the rules.
Artes said there are many errant drivers of private vehicles, motorcycle riders, and other motor vehicles who continually use the exclusive bus lane despite constant warnings and reminders.
The bus carousel lane is for the exclusive use of Public Utility Buses, ambulances, and marked government vehicles responding to emergencies.
“To serve as a deterrent, the MMDA, through the Metro Manila Council, decided to increase the prescribed fines and impose a corresponding suspension of driver’s license depending on the frequency of the offense,” he said.
Currently, the prescribed fine for the violation of the exclusive bus lane regulation is P1,000 for each offense.
Under the MMDA Regulation No. 23-002, the increased fines for the violation of exclusive city bus lane/EDSA carousel lane regulation for both public and private vehicles are: First Offense – P5,000; Second Offense – P10,000 plus one-month suspension of driver’s license, and required to undergo a road safety seminar; Third Offense – P20,000 plus one-year suspension of driver’s license, and Fourth Offense – P30,000 plus recommendation to Land Transportation Office for revocation of driver’s license
Artes also emphasized that the increase in penalty is not anti-poor nor a money-making scheme.
“Based on our data and observation, there are those who are willing to pay the P1,000 fines and violate the exclusivity of the bus lane because they can afford it. Violators are mostly private cars of rich people,” he said.
The MMDA will first conduct information campaigns to make the public aware of the increased fines prior to its full implementation.
The agency stated that during the holiday season, people are going to shopping malls, restaurants, entertainment centers, and other commercial districts, resulting in an increase in vehicle volume in the metropolis.