MOTORISTS can now experience an improved traffic flow in Cebu City’s downtown area after the Colon Night Market has ceased its operations.

But this might not last long as organizers of the night market have assured the public that the country’s oldest street will once again bustle with food and people in the coming months.

The Public Information Office of the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) said Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, that there would be an improved travel time of around three to five minutes compared to the days when the night market was still in operation.

“With the closure or end of the Colon Night Market, motorists passing Colon (street) will have an ease or improved flow— although after 7 p.m. Colon St. will become usually light,” the CCTO told SunStar Cebu.

Meanwhile, Maria Pino of the Cebu City United Vendors Association told SunStar Cebu Tuesday, that temporarily halting the night market will allow Colon St. to take a break after being open to vendors for more than two months since November 2022.

The busy night market that was filled with a variety of food and merchandise stopped its operations on Monday, Jan. 30.

Pino explained that this has been the practice since the inception of the night market, especially since the celebration of the Sinulog Festival is now over.

But she said the night market will be opened again after three to four months of hiatus or depending on the instructions of Mayor Michael Rama.

Good for vendors

The temporary closure is also beneficial for the vendors since they had noticed that the hype had faded after the Sinulog Festival, Pino said.

Taking a breather will allow the public as well not to grow weary of the night market, Pino added.

Pino further explained that once the night market reopens in upcoming months, a new level of hype will once again entice the public to visit.

Around 300 stalls selling dry goods and around 100 food stalls were on display at the night market.

Pino said the vendors and stall operators had profited from the night market, which helped alleviate their day-to-day struggles.