FIVE days into the implementation of the “discipline zone,” along the Banilad-Talamban (BanTal) corridor, some drivers report lighter traffic along Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue, although many find the rerouting longer and less convenient compared to the previous setup.
In an interview with SunStar Cebu on Friday, June 27, 2025, Ruel Sarona, who usually passes the area on board his motorcycle, said traffic has improved with the new traffic scheme despite the longer route to take a U-turn.
Before the discipline zone was implemented, drivers could take a u-turn near Gaisano Country Mall. However, with the new scheme, the u-turn slot is now nearer to the IT Park.
The discipline zone, hatched by the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the BanTal area. Its implementation began on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Sarona said before the zone was established, he used to be late for work; but with the current scheme, he is now able to show up earlier for work.
Public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers, James Mark and Allan, who drive jeepneys bound for Talamban, both agree with Sarona, saying traffic seemed to lessen and the traffic flow is now smoother.
“Traffic is no longer bad but I don’t know if it will remain this way once classes in private schools are back,” James Mark said in Cebuano.
The BanTal corridor is home to at least three major universities (University of San Carlos - Talamban, University of Cebu- Banilad, and UV Gullas College of Medicine) with several other private schools along the route.
James Mark noted that many private school students take their own vehicles to school.
Meanwhile, other drivers disagreed with the new traffic scheme saying it has become inconvenient for them.
“Our route is only Country Mall, so why did we end up going around IT Park? If we get into an accident there, we’re already at a disadvantage because we didn’t follow our route,” Jing-Jing said.
Jing-jing, not his real name, told SunStar Cebu that many drivers fear they might be flagged down by authorities for plying outside their original route.
For Naldo, who rides his motorcycle from Busay to San Miguel Corporation in Mandaue City to deliver goods, there is not much difference.
“It’s still the same. There’s still traffic because the bottleneck would be at the U-turn slot” said Naldo. / Ruyz Angela Lois Mancap, CNU Intern