BASES Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) directed the Joint Venture of the 93.7-kilometer toll road interim service provider to start gearing up for the traditional All Saints' Day exodus.
Learning from past years' experience about unusually long vehicle queues in three SCTEX interchanges -- Mabalacat, Clark, and Subic, the BCDA officials advised Tollways Management Corp. (TMC) to draw up additional measures to make travel at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) during the holiday "more comfortable and enjoyable this time around."
"We can very well handle the expected upsurge of vehicles on All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (November 1-2) more effectively given the emergency measures in our disposal at any given time," TMC official Charlie Española said.
Anticipating huge traffic volumes arising from the yearly "Undas" observance when people pay their respects to departed loved ones, Española said TMC field personnel would be beefed up to help ensure smoother flow of traffic.
"We are taking a pro-active stance to make sure that movement of vehicles at the usual choke points remains manageable," Española said.
The contingency measures include rerouting of traffic in the Mabalacat Concepcion-Clark area during peak hours, and deployment of additional hand-held ticket readers to assist the booth tellers in toll fee collection.
More temporary entry or exit lanes would be made available as the need arises, Española said.
He pointed out, however, that the motorists themselves can contribute to averting traffic jams at the interchanges by preparing the exact amount for toll fees, saying the process of breaking large bills into smaller amounts lengthens the motorists' stay at the toll plazas.
But more important is to avoid traveling during the rush hours when the gridlocks normally occur, the TMC official said.
He pointed out that the queues at the toll plazas usually get longer from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the entry lanes and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the exit lanes.
"For your own convenience, try to avoid these particular hours," Española advised motorists.
He said the travelers might also find it handy to bring along a road map, or study their routes before embarking on their trip.
"Getting lost along the way certainly takes the fun out of traveling," he said.
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