The first day of the full implementation of the expanded number coding scheme covering the major thoroughfares in Metro Manila resulted in the apprehension and issuance of traffic violation tickets by the Metro Manila Development Authority to 370 violators. An additional 146 violators were ticketed under the agency’s non-contact apprehension policy, bringing the total number of apprehended persons yesterday to 516.
Earlier, the MMDA had said that based on its study, a 20-percent reduction in vehicle volume would result from the full implementation of the number coding scheme in Metro Manila. The agency conducted a three-day dry run of the scheme, from Monday, 15 August to Wednesday, 17 August.
“The volume count and travel speed survey of the agency is ongoing but based on our command center monitoring thru CCTV, mas maikli ang pila ng mga sasakyan sa southbound,” said Neomie Recio, director of the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, on Thursday. “Usually, vehicles are on top of the Timog flyover, but this morning the volume is there at the foot of the flyover.”
The same situation was observed from Guadalupe to Buendia in Makati City, which is usually clogged in the morning but has been moving faster, said Recio. But the real evaluation will be based on data that will be retrieved from the Traffic Engineering Center.
The MMDA said a total of 7,405 motorists were given warning during the dry run of the number coding scheme from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
From August 18 onward, offending motorists will be meted a fine of P300.
On 11 August, the Metro Manila Council, composed of the Metro Manila mayors, agreed through MMDA Resolution No. 22-14 Series of 2022 to revive the number coding scheme in the morning in preparation for the opening of face-to-face classes on 22 August.
The scheme will now be implemented from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Under the scheme, vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 are prohibited on Monday, 3 and 4 on Tuesday, 5 and 6 on Wednesday, 7 and 8 on Thursday, and 9 and 0 on Friday during the said coding hours.