QUEZON CITY — The North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), and the Manila- Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) are all set for the Holy Week with the implementation of the “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko (SMSK) Motorists’ Assistance Program.”
In a press conference at the Luxent Hotel here on Thursday, NLEX Corp. president and general manager Luigi L. Bautista, said they are expecting a surge of up to 20 percent during the Holy Week period with its peak on Wednesday (April 17) as motorists rush to the provinces for the observance of Lent.
He said this Holy Week, around 700 tellers and patrol officers will be deployed at the NLEx-SCTEx to enhance traffic management and toll collection services.
Last year, the volume peaked to as much as 330,000 vehicles during Holy Wednesday, from a daily average of 250,000.
Glenn Campos, NLEx Corp. vice president for technology, said road works at the three expressways will be suspended beginning April 12 until April 22 unless safety repairs are required.
He said the SMSK program, now on its 10th year, will also deploy traffic management teams that will adopt extended working hours to closely monitor and manage the expected high volume of vehicles in Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, Bocaue, Tarlac, San Miguel, and Tipo toll plazas.
On the peak hours of April 17 to 22, the said toll plazas will increase toll collection points by as much as 50 percent with the addition of portabooths and portable toll collection equipment to lessen motorist’s waiting time at the toll plazas, he added.
During the same period, Cavitex will deploy more traffic patrol officers and security personnel to manage the traffic and assist motorists. Additional tellers will also be on standby to facilitate faster toll transactions, Campos said.
Also, SMSK Motorist Camps are ready to provide free calls, Wi-Fi, drinking water, basic mechanic services and first aid treatment in designated locations. The SMSK will also provide 24-hour free towing services to the nearest exit for Class 1 vehicles from April 17, 6 a.m. to April 22, 6 a.m., Campos said.
Real-time traffic situation at the NLEx-SCTEx can be viewed via Facebook Live on the NLEx Corp. Facebook page from April 17, 6 a.m. to April 22, 6 p.m., he added.
The Customer Service hotline (3-5000) will be ready to take calls 24/7, while Customer Service Centers will be available to serve motorists except on April 19 and 21, he pointed out.
Campos said they are also prepared for the increase in traffic fl ow for the long holidays for this year: National Heroes Day from August 24 to 27; All Saints’ Day from October 31 to November 4; and Christmas/ New Year Holidays from December 28 to 29 and January 4 to 6, 2020.
