400K Vehicles Passed Through NLEX-SCTEX During Holy Week

Daily traffic volume increased by more than 15 percent to 400,000 vehicles in the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) during the recent Holy Week exodus.

"Motorists experienced moderate to heavy traffic flow in NLEX-SCTEX on the peak Holy Week traffic days on Wednesday and Thursday as the traffic volume exceeded the expected 15 percent increase, hitting 400,000 average daily traffic," NLEX Corp. President and General Manager, Luigi Bautista, said in a statement late Friday.

Bautista also reported that no major accident was recorded during the Holy Week despite the increase in traffic volume.

The tollway company deployed traffic patrol crew and incident response teams to strategic areas, resulting in faster response time to vehicle breakdowns and other minor incidents.

"The increased visibility and prompt response of NLEX-SCTEX patrol crew were significant in managing the traffic flow and in instilling discipline among motorists," Bautista said.

The company, which is in charge of the operations and maintenance of NLEX and SCTEX, implemented a counterflow scheme in San Fernando, Pampanga to manage the traffic congestion caused by the high volume of vehicles going to the provinces.

Toll collection points were likewise installed in Tarlac on Maundy Thursday and Bocaue on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday to accommodate motorists returning to Manila.

NLEX Corp. deployed more than 700 tellers and patrol officers at the NLEX-SCTEX to enhance traffic management and toll collection services.

NLEX-SCTEX personnel also extended working hours to closely monitor and manage the expected high volume of vehicles in the Balintawak, Mindanao Ave., Bocaue, Tarlac, San Miguel, and Tipo toll plazas.

During peak periods, the Balintawak Toll Plaza opened a maximum of 24 toll collection points while the Mindanao Ave. and Tarlac toll plazas opened a maximum of 10 and 20 toll collection points, respectively. The Bocaue Toll Plaza also had a maximum of 59 collection points for Manila-bound motorists.

More than 6,000 motorists along NLEX and SCTEX were provided first aid treatment, drinking water, basic mechanic and towing services on April 17-21 through the firm's 'Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko' motorist assistance program.

The tollway firm’s data showed that 1,416 incidents were responded to in both expressways with an average response time of 11 minutes, while 322 Class 1 motorists were also given free towing assistance. Class 1 motorists include cars, taxis, jeepneys, vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks.