Gatchalian threatens NLEX over ‘carmageddon’

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Rex Gatchalian has written to the management of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corp. to air his gripes about the worsening traffic in Valenzuela City due to its “abysmal” radio frequency identification (RFID) system.

In a strongly worded letter dated Dec. 3, Gatchalian wrote to NLEX chief operating officer Raul Ignacio that he would be forced to cut the city government’s business ties with the company if it fails to improve its cashless toll collection system.

Valenzuela serves as a gateway to the north with its multiple interchanges. The NLEX Harborlink Project Segment 10 also passes through the city and NLEX has an exit point in Karuhatan.

?Gatchalian reported that the “carmageddon” plagued Maysan Road and MacArthur Highway due to the long lines of vehicles waiting to get through the RFID toll gates. ?

“Although the holiday rush, coupled with the lifting of truck ban and number coding scheme give rise to heavier volume of vehicles on the road, the abysmal state of your RFID system contributes to the chaos and exacerbates the already dreadful traffic situation in the city, which were caused by your nonchalant careless manner of implementing your RFID system,” the mayor wrote.

Gatchalian said he had also called the attention of the corporation as early as 2013, but his pleas on behalf of his constituents “fell on deaf ears.”

He gave the company 24 hours within receipt of the letter to submit an action plan to city hall, and 72 hours to submit an explanation as to why the city should not suspend its business permit.

“Technology is not a hit-or-miss affair and your company can actually take a cue from the technology of other countries. However, with your primitive sensors in place, which are causing harrowing traffic and wreaking havoc in Valenzuela City, we are forced to re-evaluate the partnership we have built over the years,” Gatchalian said.

MPTC vows to address concerns

The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.(MPTC), which runs NLEX, said it would address Gatchalian’s concerns.

MPTC chief communications officer Romulo Quimbo Jr. said the company officially received Gatchalian’s letter yesterday morning.

“We intend to send that response to him as soon as possible. Of course we are aware of the concerns. That should be in the letter. We want to reply to his concerns in toto,” he said. – Richmond Mercurio