NLEX-SCTEX prepares for holiday exodus

MANILA: Philippine roads are the busiest during the holidays. Many amongst those who live or work in the Metro take the time during Christmas and New Year to visit their families in the provinces. NLEX-SCTEX management is prepared for the year’s peak travel season and here’s how they plan to keep your trips smooth and safe.

On Heightened Alert

Whilst the staff and the management of NLEX-SCTEX always put their best foot forward, this year’s holiday season is something they knew they had to prepare for. They’re all set for their annual “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko” program to help manage traffic during the holidays.

The NLEX-SCTEX 101-kilometer infrastructure acts as the main artery of Metro Manila to the provinces of both the Northern and Central Luzon and is soon to connect more areas in 2020. Vehicles are expected to fill the country’s integrated northern expressway driving as far as Baguio or La Union.

According to NLEX Corporation manager and president J. Luigi Bautista, the NLEX-SCTEX management will intensify their customer-facing services to help shorten the travel time of the motorists using the expressway during the holidays.

This is to help motorists spend more time with friends and families rather than spending most of their time on the road.

From December 19, 2019 to January 6, 2020, the management will mobilize additional traffic personnel as well as additional toll collection resources in preparation for an anticipated 10% increase in traffic volume.

A Concentrated Effort

With more than enough manpower on the road, they can closely monitor traffic conditions all across the expressway. However, they are to focus on key toll plazas like Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, Bocaue, San Fernando City, Tarlac City, and Tipo in Subic.

NLEX-SCTEX management is to add 60 additional collection points to mitigate Manila-bound traffic strategically placed in the main Bocaue Toll Barrier up until January 5. Motorists passing the Tarlac City and Tipo Subic toll plazas are to expect pre-encoded transit tickets meant to help reduce wait time.

Other services are to be provided by the management including free towing services to take place from December 28 to 29 (6:00 AM – 11:59 PM) and January 4 to 6 (6:00 AM to 6:00 PM).

The management is set to add counterflow lanes if needed to help ease the flow of traffic. Both drivers and passengers can stay tuned on social media as well as through variable message signs for traffic updates.

Emergency medical services are to be expected to help motorists in need.

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