Tollway operators all set for heavier traffic for ‘Undas’

The country’s two largest tollway operators are bracing for heavier traffic across major expressways during “Undas,” when millions of Filipinos are expected to travel to their hometowns to visit departed loved ones.

Ramon Ang-led SMC Infrastructure said it expects vehicle traffic across its tollway network to increase by 10 percent, while Manuel Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) projects a 5-percent rise overall.

During the peak travel days of Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, MPTC expects traffic across its expressways to surge by an average of 12 percent.

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To manage the anticipated influx of motorists, both operators are deploying additional personnel and emergency response teams while suspending roadworks to help ease congestion. SMC Infrastructure said it would implement full staffing beginning Oct. 29, covering South Luzon Expressway, Skyway System, STAR Tollway, Naia Expressway and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway. Roadworks across its tollway network will be suspended from noon on Oct. 29 until 10 p.m. on Nov. 3.

The MPTC will deploy about 2,000 personnel across North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), NLEx Connector, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, Cavitex, Cavite-Laguna Expressway and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3. The Palace has declared Nov. 1 (All Saints’ Day) and Nov. 2 (All Souls’ Day) as special nonworking days. —LOGAN KAL-EL M. ZAPANTA