MMDA looking to bring back number coding scheme

The MMDA said that the vehicle volume in EDSA is now almost the same during pre-pandemic. There are several reasons that can be attributed to the increase of vehicles on the road. One of which is the downgrading of quarantine classification in the National Capital Region (NCR).  

MMDA considers bringing back number coding [Photo: Judgefloro]

The increasing number of cars on the road translates to traffic buildup, which prompted the MMDA to consider bringing back the number coding scheme. MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos is looking at the possibility of reimplementing the number coding. 

Abalos said that the implementation of the number coding will be in effect at select times or during peak hours of the day. The agency considers putting the number coding in effect from 7 a.m. up to 9 a.m., and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

"If traffic continues to worsen, we are looking at the implementation of the number coding but not for the whole day. It will only be during peak hours of the day – 7 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm,” explained Abalos.

The MMDA has yet to release an official statement regarding the said implementation of the number coding. As of this writing, the agency is not yet officially implementing the number coding in effect. It remains suspended until further notice.

The MMDA has yet to bring back the number coding

Previously, the MMDA explained that it will start to bring back the number coding only if there is sufficient public transport. MMDA director of traffic engineering sector Noemi Recio said that the limited passenger capacity on public utility vehicles (PUV) might not be enough to 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.

In line with that, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the 70 percent maximum capacity on PUVs. The increased passenger capacity has been in effect since November 4.

Social distancing might be a problem sometimes when taking public transport

Recio, on the other hand, 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.

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