Tollway operators gear up for Undas

- Advertisement -


Tollway operators SMC Infrastructure and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) are ready for the anticipated surge in traffic volume for this year’s Undas starting on October 31 until November 5.

SMC Infrastructure — operator of South Luzon Expressway, STAR Tollway, Skyway System, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway — is implementing comprehensive measures to ensure the safe and efficient travel of motorists.

This includes close coordination with the Toll Regulatory Board, local government units and other relevant agencies to optimize traffic flow, SMC said.

- Advertisement -

“Our toll operations teams have prepared for the expected surge in traffic volume at our expressways starting Thursday, October 31. Emergency services such as fire trucks, ambulances, and tow trucks are already on standby to provide immediate assistance to distressed motorists,” SMC said in a statement.

Additional personnel will be deployed to help manage traffic bottlenecks, including at entry and exit toll plazas that connect local roads to expressways, it added.

Meanwhile, MPTC said it reactivated its Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko motorists assistance program to ensure safe and convenient travel during Undas.

With an expected combined surge in traffic volume across its expressways — North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, NLEX Connector, Cavite-Laguna Expressway and Cebu Cordova Link Expressway — the MPTC Group said it is ready to assist motorists through its increased personnel deployment, 24/7 traffic condition monitoring and incident response, and enhanced traffic management measures to guide motorists.

To ensure smooth travel, emergency and medical incident response teams will be deployed strategically within the expressways, MPTC said. It will also offer free towing service for class 1 vehicles up to the nearest exit from 6 a.m. of Oct. 31 to 6 a.m. of Nov. 4.

Both expressway operators will suspend roadworks and lane closures, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 4 for MPTC and until Nov. 5 for SMC, except for emergency repairs. 

MPTC urges motorists to plan their trips and use the MPT DriveHub app, which provides traffic updates, toll fee calculator, reloading facility for radio frequency identification (RFID) accounts and emergency roadside assistance.

Since high traffic volume is anticipated in its major expressways like NLEX, MPTC advised the public of heavy northbound traffic on Oct. 31 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Nov. 1 from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For Manila-bound travelers, expect high traffic volume on Nov. 2 at 3–10 p.m., and from 2 p.m. of Nov. 3 to 8 a.m. of Nov. 4, MPTC said.

In addition to being physically and mentally prepared, ensuring that vehicles are in good condition and observing road safety practices, including a working RFID sticker, will make journeys smoother, MPTC added.

With the busy holiday season ahead, MPTC encourages the motoring public to have their old RFID stickers replaced at the nearest Easytrip station or customer service centers to avoid inconvenience while on the road.

“We encourage motorists to be expressway-ready by ensuring that they have sufficient load in their RFID accounts for a hassle-free journey. Let’s drive responsibly so we can all arrive at our destinations safely, and spend more time with our loved ones,” said Rogelio Singson, MPTC president and chief executive officer, in a statement. 

Author

- Advertisement -

Share post: