Metro Pacific Tollways to deploy more personnel for ‘Undas’ traffic surge

MANILA, Philippines—Expressway operator Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is deploying more personnel and emergency medical facilities in anticipation of a jump in vehicle volume by 10 to 15 percent during the “Undas” holidays from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2.

MPTC said it will be on “heightened alert” as it expects more people to travel despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company said 1,200 patrol crew members, traffic marshals, security teams, and lane personnel will be deployed to ensure safety and provide immediate assistance to motorists.

Emergency medical services and incident response teams will also be fielded to strategic areas across its expressways, the company said.

“We remain committed to provide our motorists with ease of travel, ensure their safety, and assist them immediately this season as we also continue to observe COVID-19 protocols for the protection of our customers and employees,” MPTC president and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco said in a statement.

The company is boosting its personnel numbers as traffic volume at the North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway were expected to spike by at least 10 percent during the period.

For Cavite Expressway, C5 Link and Cavite Laguna Expressway, the traffic surge could reach 11-15 percent.

MPTC said all customer service centers “will be operational 24/7.” The company will also deploy ambulant tellers to help motorists in cash lanes, and toll personnel will be augmented to help motorists in RFID lanes.

Construction and lane closures along the mainline road of all MPTC expressways will be suspended from Oct. 27-Nov. 2.

MPTC also encouraged motorists to use RFID for toll payment to avoid queues on cash lanes.

“Those who have no RFID may have the sticker installed before entering the expressways and just have to pay the initial load,” the company said.

“Existing RFID users are advised to make sure that their accounts have sufficient balance to cover their trips,” it added.

TSB