MM number coding, EDSA light truck ban starts

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Image by AGDProductions from Pixabay
  • The number coding scheme was re-implemented on December 1
  • It is in effect only from 5 pm to 8 pm, Mondays to Fridays, except holidays, and covers only private vehicles
  • The modified light truck ban along EDSA is also in force
  • Light trucks are prohibited from plying EDSA between Magallanes, Makati City and North Avenue, Quezon City, both northbound and southbound, from 5 am to 9 pm from Mondays to Fridays, except holidays

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on December 1 re-implemented the number coding scheme during afternoon rush hours in Metro Manila and resumed the modified light truck ban along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

The Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number coding scheme is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays, except holidays.

The reimplementation came after the Metro Manila Council (MMC) approved a resolution to implement calibrated traffic mitigation measures in the National Capital Region (NCR) aimed at avoiding a traffic management crisis in the future.

The MMC, composed of the 17 local government units of Metro Manila, is the governing and policymaking body of the MMDA.

According to MMDA Resolution No. 21-30, the current traffic situation was determined to be approaching pre-pandemic levels. This was based on the recent travel survey and analysis, including vehicle volume count, travel time and travel speed study, and average daily traffic rate, which was conducted by the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center.

MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos said the resumed number coding scheme in the metropolis will only cover private vehicles. Vehicles with plates ending in 1 and 2 are prohibited on Mondays, 3 and 4 on Tuesdays, 5 and 6 on Wednesdays, 7 and 8 on Thursdays, and 9 and 0 on Fridays.

Exempted from the modified UVVRP are public utility vehicles (including tricycles), transport network vehicle services (TNVS), motorcycles, garbage trucks, fuel trucks, and motor vehicles carrying essential and/or perishable goods.

“Data shows that the travel speed along the northbound portion of EDSA is 9.66 kilometers per hour. Hence, we have to reinstate the number coding scheme during the afternoon rush hours to address the problem. We are trying to exhaust all options here,” Abalos said.

“The solution to this problem is efficient traffic management and mass transport system,” he added.

MMDA Traffic Discipline Office director Neomie Recio said the scheme will lead to a reduction of approximately 2,700 vehicles every hour plying EDSA alone.

A modified light truck ban along EDSA has also been re-implemented.

Based on the UVVRP motor vehicle plate endings, light trucks are prohibited from plying EDSA between Magallanes, Makati City and North Avenue, Quezon City, both northbound and southbound, from 5am to 9pm from Mondays to Fridays, except holidays.

Light trucks refer to motor vehicles, whether for commercial use or not, with a gross capacity weight of 4,500 kilograms (kg) or below and/or having six or more tires, the payload area of which are either enclosed or open.

The total truck ban policy along EDSA between Magallanes, Makati City and North Avenue, Quezon City, both northbound and southbound, meanwhile, will remain and be strictly enforced for garbage trucks, fuel trucks, and trucks carrying essential and/or perishable goods.

The truck ban hours in the NCR will remain suspended until further notice.

Trucks covered by the total ban refer to motor vehicles, whether for commercial use or not, with a gross capacity weight of above 4,500 kg.