Traffic office prepares for school year opening

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO) is fully prepared for the start of the 2024-2025 school year, which begins Monday, July 29.

Retired Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos, Officer-in-Charge of the TTMO, said the office has been actively collaborating with school administrators to ensure effective traffic management around school zones.

“On Monday, classes will be in full swing. We have anticipated this and made necessary preparations. We have already met with public school administrators to present our traffic management plans,” Garbanzos said in an interview.

He explained that during the meeting, they identified the concerns of the school administrators, particularly regarding the outside areas of their schools.

“Administrators have expressed concerns about unregulated street vendors and on-road parking, which often leads to traffic congestion. Following these discussions, we presented our scheme,” Garbanzos added.

The scheme includes separate unloading zones for four-wheel vehicles and public utility jeeps (PUJs). Additionally, the plan restricts the entry of e-bikes and tricycles in front of schools.

As part of their preparations, the TTMO has also inspected transport terminals and proposed parking schemes to facilitate a smooth flow of passengers.

Garbanzos noted that the implementation of the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) will proceed as planned. Under this plan, 40% of first-town jeepneys will operate along their regular routes from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a reduction to 25% during off-peak hours.

The office reminded transport cooperatives to adhere to their dispatching schedules.

With the anticipated increase in vehicle volume coinciding with the start of the school year, the TTMO is implementing these measures to reduce traffic congestion and ensure a smooth transition for students and parents.