MMDA to bring back number coding only if there are enough PUVs

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is looking into the possibility of reimplementing the number coding scheme on EDSA as the volume of vehicles on the said thoroughfare is now almost similar during the pre-pandemic period.  

Vehicle volume in EDSA is now almost the same during pre-pandemic

According to our previous report, there were 390,238 vehicles that drove along EDSA last October 7, 2021, which is close to the recorded volume of vehicles last July 8, 2019 with 405,882. The numbers translate to a difference of 15,644 cars, which indicates that the vehicle volume in EDSA is significantly reaching pre-pandemic levels.  

MMDA director of traffic engineering sector Noemi Recio said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo that the increase of vehicle volume in EDSA can be attributed to the less stringent quarantine restrictions. As of this writing, the National Capital Region (NCR) is under Alert Level 3 that allows more movement, and permits more establishments to resume operations. 

Comparison of vehicle volume in EDSA

"Simula nu’ng nagbaba tayo ng alert level, Alert Level 3 na tayo, is ayan nga, based doon sa volume ng MMDA, ay talagang nagbalikan na 'yung ating mga sasakyan, especially along EDSA," Recio said.

(Since we've been on Alert Level 3, a lot of vehicles have been hitting the road, especially along EDSA.)

Recio added that the MMDA has yet to decide on bringing back the number coding scheme. One of the things being considered by the agency is the limited capacity of PUVs, which could not accommodate the sudden influx of private car owners who would have no other choice but to use public transport to get to and from their destination. 

Speaking of which, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the proposal to raise passenger capacities. This means that all public road-based and rail transport in Metro Manila now has a maximum capacity of 70 percent starting November 4, 2021. 

Expect public utility vehicles (PUVs) to accommodate more commuters in the coming days.

Recio also shared that private vehicles provide more protection from COVID-19 since you’re not exposed to other people while on the road. It serves as your personal transport or bubble, which lessens the risk of getting infected by the COVID-19 virus.

Despite the increasing volume of vehicles along EDSA, the MMDA previously said that the average travel speed from Monumento to Roxas Boulevard is currently better. The current average speed is said to be 23.4 km/h as compared to the previous 11 km/h.

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