FOLLOWING the implementation of the no-stopping policy, less traffic congestion was experienced on United Nations (UN) Ave. in Mandaue City yesterday.
Glenn Antigua, chief for operations of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team), said the new traffic scheme on the two-kilometer road is effective.
“Okay ra kaayo. Effective. Wa na ta kasuway og kahuot sa (The new scheme is effective. We did not experience congestion on) UN Ave.,” he said.
Team, though, apprehended 84 public utility vehicles and private vehicles from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It was Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing who ordered that UN Ave. be a no-stopping zone effective yesterday.
Vehicles are no longer allowed to stop, pick up or unload passengers on the whole stretch of the road, except in the designated loading and unloading areas.
The move seeks to decongest the traffic on UN Ave., which is considered one of the congested areas in Mandaue.
The two designated loading and unloading areas for public utility jeepneys (PUJ) on UN Ave. are the terminal of Pacific Mall and the pocket lane located across the Phoenix gasoline station.
When Sun.Star Cebu visited the pocket lane yesterday, the traffic enforcers instructed the commuters to go to Pacific Mall, saying that PUJs are not allowed to stop in the area.
Antigua, however, later clarified that PUJs can load and unload passengers in the area but the assigned traffic enforcer will not allow other jeepneys to stop there once the pocket lane is full.
All the members of the Team were informed of the new traffic rule in UN Ave., said Antigua.
He said violators of the no stopping policy will be issued citation tickets.
Traffic enforcers will also impose a fine on the erring drivers.
Commuters who insist on disembarking in a non-designated area will be issued a citation ticket for jaywalking.
Antigua said, though, they have not yet apprehended any commuter for such violation.
Antigua said tarpaulins will be put up in the different areas in the city to inform the public of the no-stopping policy on UN Ave.
Quisumbing, for his part, said the City Government will purchase electric vehicles, which will be used by the Team to patrol UN Ave. and other roads.
“In some areas of the city, it’s tough to get patrol cars on the scene quickly due to traffic and it’s dangerous to bring motorcycles up on the sidewalks,” he said.
Quisumbing added that electric vehicles are not only good for the environment but will also save the City on fuel costs.
