Vehicle volume in the National Capital Region (NCR) has significantly increased since being placed under Alert Level 1 COVID-19 status. This prompted the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to think of ways how to make traffic flow better in the NCR.
A new number coding scheme is one of the options that the MMDA is considering to curb the vehicle volume in Metro Manila. The agency has proposed two new number coding schemes that are seen to reduce vehicle volume by up to 50 percent. Although, the MMDA has yet to announce which of the two new schemes shall be implemented.
One of the proposed new number coding schemes by the MMDA is the odd-even format, which is said to reduce vehicle volume by 50 percent. The odd-even number coding bans vehicles with plates ending with odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) to use public roads on Monday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Vehicles with plates ending with even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 0), on the other hand, are prohibited on public roads on Tuesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The odd-even format allows all vehicles to use public roads every Wednesday, which basically lifts the number coding during the said day.
The other proposal made by the MMDA is more complicated than the odd-even format, and it is said to bring down vehicle volume by 40 percent. The second proposed number coding scheme still prohibits vehicles from driving along public roads for two weekdays. See below for reference.
- Monday: plates ending in 1, 2, 3, 4
- Tuesday: plates ending in 5, 6, 7, 8
- Wednesday: plates ending in 9, 0, 1, 2
- Thursday: plates ending in 3, 4, 5, 6
- Friday: plates ending in 7, 8, 9, 0
The MMDA has yet to decide which of the two new number coding schemes will be implemented. MMDA general manager Frisco San Juan Jr. shared that the agency is consulting other government agencies in regards to which of the two proposed number coding schemes shall be put into effect. San Juan added that the new number coding could begin after the May 9 elections.
Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said that the MMDA’s proposed new number coding schemes will not be beneficial for the general motoring public. In a report by Inquirer.net, Zarate said that the motorists and commuters “will just be at the losing end” if the MMDA pushes for its new proposed number coding scheme.
Zarate believes that the proposed number coding schemes were not studied properly before being introduced. He added that the MMDA should fix the existing scheme instead of implementing a new one.
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