18 roads added to coding scheme

MANILA, Philippines - Beginning next week, 18 more roads and one more hour would be added to the “expanded no window hours” of the number coding scheme following its effective three-day dry run.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Tim Orbos said that the Metro Manila Council (MMC) has unanimously agreed to expand the no window hours scheme after receiving positive feedback during the dry run from Oct. 12 to 14.  

But Orbos said that the expanded no window hours will take effect five days after publication of the resolution, which means the existing traffic measure covers only EDSA, C-5 Road, Roxas Blvd., Alabang-Zapote Road and all areas in Mandaluyong, Makati and Las Piñas.

In a two-page resolution dated Oct. 17, the MMC has agreed to include 17 more roads in the areas covered by the no window hours of the number coding scheme.

Added to the expanded no window hours were: Recto Avenue, President Quirino Avenue, Araneta Avenue, CP Garcia, Taft Avenue, SLEX, Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Avenue, Magsaysay Boulevard, Aurora Boulevard, Quezon Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Rizal Avenue, Del Pan, Marcos Highway and MacArthur Highway and C-6 Road.

The MMC, composed of Metro Manila mayors, also agreed to extend the number of hours covered in the number coding scheme by one hour, from the current 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to now end at 8 p.m.

Orbos said that some mayors were pushing for a Metro Manila-wide implementation of the no window hours, but chose to scrap it because of possible effects on some business centers, especially with the coming Christmas season.

Some mayors have also pushed for a 24-hour implementation of the number coding scheme, but some disagreed, considering its effect on motorists. 

The MMDA has apprehended more than 3,000 motorists who violated the no window hours during the three-day dry run.

The MMDA also said that the no window hours had reduced travel time by more than 10 minutes from Baclaran in Pasay to the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan.

Yesterday, the MMDA fully enforced the no window hours. 

The MMDA apprehend 96 erring motorists: 58 on EDSA and 38 on C-5 as of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The apprehended motorists were fined P300.

Orbos said that he would consider regularizing the no window hours in certain congested areas if it effectively decongests traffic.

The no window hours on the number coding scheme of the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (IACT) runs from Oct. 17 to Jan. 31 next year.

He also said that he supports the carpooling scheme along EDSA to reduce the number of private cars, which comprise the majority of vehicles. 

But Orbos said that lawmakers need to issue stricter guidelines before implementing the scheme as colorum or unregistered operations  might proliferate.

Metro Manila’s mayors and the IACT have agreed to implement a unified ticketing system for traffic violations. 

The Department of Transportation said in a statement yesterday that the MMC and the IACT – which includes police Highway Patrol Group – have committed to implement uniform ordinances on traffic violation fines and penalties. – With Louella Desiderio