Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras said the presence of about 135 buses will not cause heavy traffic along C5, as the ban on provincial buses bound for Southern Luzon and Bicol to traverse EDSA started on Monday morning (September 7).
Buses covered by the scheme are rerouted from EDSA into C5, until they reach the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
“We think C5 can handle it because from 6 to 9 a.m. wala yung mga truck (doon),” he said.
Related: Southbound provincial buses to be rerouted to C5 to decongest EDSA
The ban, which lasted from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m, covers provincial buses with terminals in Cubao and Kamuning.
The new system does not cover buses coming from the south going to northern parts of Luzon.
Personnel from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Aunthority (MMDA) were deployed at the EDSA and P. Tuazon intersection to regulate the traffic flow.
Traffic was heavy along P. Tuazon as several vehicles were parked in the outermost lane.
MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said that more personnel will be deployed to augment the HPG forces.
But to some passengers, taking EDSA is still a better option for them.
“Sa EDSA ho ako mas madali ho ang byahe. Pabalik-balik na ho ako sa Mindoro pero eto mas matagal yung byahe eh,” one passenger namde Geovic Torneo said.
Another passenger Juan Cristo agreed, saying that his travel is faster on EDSA.
Others, however, claimed that it doesn’t matter if you take EDSA or C5 as both roads have traffic jams.
Bus liners are also concerned with lost income as they are not allowed to pick up passengers on C5 unlike on EDSA.
However, Tolentino admitted that the new system is not a silver bullet to alleviate heavy traffic on EDSA.
“Rush hour talaga ngayon eh so ang nai-restore lang siguro sa simula yung konsepto ng disiplina dahil takot sila sa may mga nakikitang nakabaril,” he said.
