WERE you stuck in traffic for hours in Cebu City last Friday, Dec. 21?
According to Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) operations chief Francisco Ouano, around 40,000 vehicles plied the city’s streets that day.
The number is two times more than the regular volume of vehicles running in the city, he said.
“We attribute the heavy traffic to the Christmas rush. People are also coming in and out of the city to shop or spend their holidays here,” he added.
Ouano said heavy traffic was observed in the downtown area, on Escario St. and on MJ Cuenco Ave. corner Carreta Cemetery.
Ouano said around 400 CCTO enforcers will be on duty over the holidays to direct traffic and to ensure road safety.
Advice to motorists
They will be divided into three shifts: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Ouano also reminded motorists and other drivers to abide by traffic rules, especially the City’s anti-counterflow measure to avoid untoward incidents.
Jonathan Tumulak, Capitol traffic management focal person, also urged commuters to be patient with traffic expected to get worse as Christmas Day and the New Year approach.
He said motorists should keep their cool, especially during days when most people are heading to the malls for the Christmas rush.
He also urged drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) to prepare themselves and their units for the volume of passengers expected to head home for the holidays.
Tumulak urged PUV drivers to avoid violating the “no overloading” policy and to follow traffic rules.
He said overloading and other illegal traffic practices could result in accidents that might cause traffic.
He also advised PUV drivers and their operators to make sure their vehicles are in good condition so these won’t break down on the road.
Tumulak said drivers and their operators must check their brakes, lights, wheels and other parts of the vehicle.
Tumulak also thanked local government units in the Province that have prioritized policies to minimize traffic in their areas.
He praised Minglanilla after the town implemented a delivery truck ban that only allows the vehicles to pass the national highway between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The ban, though, will only last until the end of the holiday season.
Minglanilla officials have implemented various policies to improve the traffic situation in the town, which various sectors have dubbed as the “Traffic Capital of the South.”
Meanwhile, the second trial run of the modern public bus-jeep (beep) went smoothly in Cebu City despite the yuletide frenzy.
Ouano said that since the new mode of transportation plies missionary routes, it does not affect the operation of regular PUVs.
“Moderate ra man (Their effect on traffic was moderate) so far, but we will continue with our assessment for the next 43 days. After that, we will submit to the operator our recommendation letter and assessment report,” he said. RTF, AZLG of Superbalita Cebu / JKV