MALOLOS CITY—The Tollways Management Corporation (TMC) vowed high level of service to motorists using the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) during the Halloween weekend due to expected increase in traffic volume.
Betty Jose of the TMC corporate communications office said that while their resources are sufficient to address expected increase in traffic volume, they are taking additional measures to ensure travel within the NLEx and the SCTEx will be on time, safe, secure and comfortable.
She said that they expect a 10 percent increase in traffic volume along the two expressways during the holidays.
“We understand that undas (All Souls Day and All Saints Day) is one of the most important holidays among Filipinos,” she said noting that it has become a time for reunion among family members.
Jose said that for the NLEx they are expecting northbound motorist volume to reach 140,000 by Friday compared to 130,000 transactions they have during regular days.
For the SCTEx, they are expecting an increase from the average day of 2,500 to 3,000 vehicles per day to approximately 10,000 transactions during the days before and after the Halloween break.
She said that traffic build up may be experienced starting Thursday and until Friday at the Balintawak north bound toll plaza from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and from 3 p.m. onwards.
The same situation is expected at the Sta. Rita toll plaza in Guiguinto, Bulacan as it serves as the gateway to eastern Central and Northern Luzon; and at the Dau and San Fernando toll plazas in Pampanga.
For the SCTEx, Jose said that traffic build up is expected at the Mabalacat Interchange toll plaza, and Tipo and Dinalupihan toll plazas near the Subic Bay Freeport; and the Tarlac toll plaza starting Thursday.
After the Halloween break, Jose said that southbound toll plazas like the Bocaue toll plaza will experience heavy motorist traffic volume as thousands return to Metro Manila.
To address possible traffic woes, the TMC is increasing the number of personnel that will man toll booths in Balintawak, Dau, Bocaue, Mabalacat, Tipo, Dinalupihan, and Tarlac.
They said that they will also field 15 to 20 ambulant tellers at the Balintawak Toll Plaza to prevent long traffic lines.
“If traffic build-up occurs at the Dau Toll Plaza, ambulant tellers will be added to speed up traffic movement, said Jose noting that the same will be implemented at the SCTEx toll plazas in Mabalacat, Tipo, Dinalupihan, and Tarlac.
For emergencies, TMC said that traffic management teams will be posted in interchanges such as Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Sta. Rita, and Bocaue for NLEx; Fixed SCTEx patrollers are posted in Mabalacat, Tipo, Dinalupihan and Tarlac interchanges.
Towing services will be provided by Aeromed Ambulance Transport with paramedics, while emergency response teams are on standby 24 hours a day.
The TMC also advises travelers who are going for a long drive to plan their trip ahead and check their BLOWBAG which stands for “brake, light, oil, water, battery, air (tire pressure) and gas.”
