To ensure a smooth and safe travel for motorists during the Undas holidays, expressway operators are implementing measures to manage expected heavy traffic.
“Our toll operations teams have prepared for the expected surge in traffic volume at our expressways starting Thursday, Oct. 31. Emergency services such as fire trucks, ambulances, and tow trucks are already on standby to provide immediate assistance to distressed motorists,” SMC Infrastructure said.
“We appeal to our motorists to make sure their vehicles are in good condition prior to traveling, so they can avoid any mishaps or cause delays for others,” it added.
The company operates the South Luzon Expressway, STAR Tollway, Skyway System, NAIA Expressway and Tarlac Pangasinan La Union Expressway (TPLEX).
San Miguel Infra will impose a moratorium on roadworks, including maintenance and other related activities that may impede the flow of vehicular traffic, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5.
Additional personnel will be deployed to help manage traffic bottlenecks, including at entry and exit toll plazas that connect local roads to expressways.
To further minimize possible causes of delays at the tollways, SMC Infrastructure is reminding motorists to make sure their Autosweep accounts have sufficient load. Their cards must be ready in their vehicles should these be needed.
The company reiterated its appeal for motorists to update their account information, particularly those who have Autosweep-To-Go accounts via the Autosweep website, (www.autosweeprfid.com/v4/web), where they simply need to enter their correct details.
To pass through toll plazas more quickly, SMC Infrastructure advises motorists to avoid tailgating so that RFID readers can scan the Autosweep tags properly. Also, RFID stickers should be clean and not defective. If needed, these may be replaced for free at various toll plazas.
On road safety, motorists are reminded to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and that they observe all traffic rules at all times, especially speed limits and the wearing of seatbelts.
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the operator of North Luzon Expressway, Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway, NLEX Connector, Cavite Laguna Expressway (CALAX) and Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) reactivates its Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko (SMSK) motorists assistance program to ensure safe and convenient travel during Undas.
With an expected combined surge in traffic volume across its expressways—NLEX, SCTEX, NLEX Connector, CALAX, and CCLEX—the MPTC Group 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.
“We encourage motorists to be expressway-ready by ensuring that they have sufficient load in their RFID accounts for a hassle-free journey,” Rogelio L. Singsong, MPTC president and chief executive said.
“Let’s drive responsibly so we can all arrive at our destinations safely, and spend more time with our loved ones,” he added.
To ensure smooth travel experience of motorists ― emergency and medical incident response teams will be deployed strategically within the expressways. MPTC will also offer free towing service for Class 1 vehicles up to the nearest exit from 6 AM of October 31 to 6 AM of November 4.
Roadworks and lane closures in MPTC expressways will be suspended from October 30 to November 4 ― except for emergency safety repairs.
Motorists are encouraged to plan their trips and may use the MPT DriveHub app which provides traffic updates, toll fee calculator, reloading facility for RFID accounts, and emergency roadside assistance.
Since high traffic volume is anticipated in its major expressways like NLEX, the public is advised of heavy northbound traffic on October 31 from 6 AM to 10 PM and November 1 from 5 AM to 2 PM. For Manila-bound travelers, expect high traffic volume on November 2, 3 PM to 10 PM, and November 3, 2 PM to November 4, 8 AM.
As part of the MVP Group’s commitment to further provide comfort to motorists during the busy Undas period, Maynilad will provide bottles of drinking water to be distributed to travelers at the SMSK motorist camps, ensuring they stay hydrated throughout their journey.
Meanwhile, mWell—the Philippines’ first fully integrated health and wellness mega app ― will set up booths in rest and refuel areas along the expressways, offering health consultations to motorists in need of medical advice or assistance during their travel.
Smart will also provide free internet access and charging stations in selected areas for motorists to stay connected and keep their devices powered up while on the road.
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. Darwin G. Amojelar
