TOLL operators are now gearing up for the expected surge of motorists across expressways during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, or the Undas holiday period.
In a media release on Tuesday, San Miguel Corp. (SMC), through its tollway arm SMC Infrastructure, said it expects 10% in vehicle traffic across its network; while Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) said separately that it expects increased traffic volume of 5% overall across major expressways from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3.
MPTC, the tollway arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. said that traffic volume across its network will see an average increase of 12% during peak travel days of Oct. 30-31.
The two tollway operators said they will deploy additional personnel, emergency response teams and traffic management measures to help handle the expected traffic surge.
The companies are also coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation Office, and local governments to manage congestion, particularly on roads linking to expressway entry and exit points.
MPTC is the tollways unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., one of the three key Philippine subsidiaries of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., along with Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund’s MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Ashley Erika O. Jose