Trucks banned from Skyway starting November 15

(Image grabbed from this website autoindustriya.com)

Starting November 15, all trucks will be banned from using Metro Manila’s Skyway in an effort to improve road safety and speed up the flow of traffic on the elevated highway and the soon-to-open Naia Expressway.

Skyway O&M Corporation (SOMCO), which operates the Skyway system, said that barangay officials, local police, highway patrol units, mall owners and other stakeholders agreed during a recent consultation that it was unsafe for trucks to use the elevated road since they pose potential risks to other motorists.

Two accidents involving delivery trucks occurred recently on the Skyway, causing heavy traffic along the main road. 

“Together with SOMCO, we agreed to implement tighter restrictions as far as road safety is concerned. The welfare of the motorists and passengers should always be our priority,” said Senior Inspector Leopoldo Vitug Jr., Chief of the region’s Skyway-South Luzon Expressway.

However, he also added that heavy vehicles carrying essential commodities would be exempted from the ban, although their entry would be regulated to ensure that they meet the safety requirements to use the elevated road.

SOMCO also added that public utility vehicles using the Skyway will also be required to use radio frequency identification (RFID) stickers beginning November for faster toll processing.

The RFID toll collection system is a cashless transaction used mostly by private vehicles.

It is expected to help reduce traffic congestion on the Skyway, particularly during peak hours.

Installation of RFID stickers on vehicles is free, but an initial load of P500 for Class 1 vehicles and P1,000 for Class 2 vehicles would be needed to begin using the system.

 

Source: philstar.com, newsinfo.inquirer.net