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[av_heading tag=’h3′ padding=’10’ heading=’Dec. traffic plan an ‘experiment’’ color=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ custom_font=” size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ custom_class=”]
BY MAE SINGUAY
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BACOLOD City – After attracting criticism on social media, the city government stopped the traffic rerouting it started carrying out on Dec. 16 and dismissed it as just an “experiment.”
Mayor Evelio Leonardia apologized for the inconvenience it caused the public.
But Leonardia stood by the plan, saying “it will take time for the public to adjust to it.”
Starting the 16th, several public utility jeepneys (PUJs) here took different routes from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) enforced the rerouting in light of a Sangguniang Panlungsod resolution. The councilors said the traffic plan will facilitate the heavy traffic flow during the Yuletide.
Bata-Libertad PUJs, which usually turn to San Sebastian Street upon passing San Juan Street, must turn to Rosario Street.
Upon passing Rizal Street fronting the San Sebastian Cathedral, Punta Taytay-Central Market, Tangub-Central Market and Airport-Central Market PUJs will have to turn to San Juan Street instead of continuing on Rizal Street toward SM City-Bacolod.
Vehicles negotiating streets along Robinsons Mall and those coming from the mall were not allowed to make U-turns. Also, no vehicles were allowed a left turn along Burgos and San Juan streets.
But the scheme turned out to be problematic, causing several social media users to rant about it. Later, BTAO head Luisito Acebuche and Leonardia clarified that the rerouting was an “experiment.” PUJs have returned to their original routes.
“This is not the right time to come up with the experiment,” said Leonardia.
He tried to allay public rage by asking the locals to “understand” that vehicular traffic is “normally always problematic” during Christmas season.
Leonardia partly blamed the increasing volume of vehicles for the traffic, which he said might get worse in 2017.
Around 360,000 new cars are expected to flood Philippine streets, 40 percent of which will be in the provinces, he said, citing conversations with vehicle dealers.
Two car dealers told him an estimated 500 cars are being sold in this city in a month, while another dealer said buyers may soon get vehicles under a loan deal with a down payment of as low as P10,000, Leonardia said./PN
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