188 ‘coding’ violators caught in first 4 hours

A total of 188 public utility vehicles (PUVs) were apprehended by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for violation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number-coding scheme in the first four hours of its implementation yesterday.

Of the total apprehended from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., 162 of them were buses.

Integrated Metro Manila Bus Operators Association (IMBOA) president Claire de la Fuente said last week that their members would defy the order of MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando to conduct an experimental number-coding scheme on PUVs this week as part of the ongoing study of the UVVRP.

The IMBOA made good on its threat which resulted in the huge number of apprehensions made by the MMDA yesterday.

Fernando there was an improvement in the flow of traffic which was recorded as light to moderate during the morning rush hour yesterday.

He said PUB operators have no choice but to follow his directive as this was approved during last Wednesday’s Metro Manila Mayors League meeting in Manila City.

The basis for the implementation of the number-coding scheme for the PUVs was questioned by De la Fuente last week as she demanded a copy of the memorandum or directive which she said the MMDA failed to provide.

"This was decided in a meeting with the mayors last Wednesday. It’s in the minutes of the meeting," Fernando said in response.

De la Fuente also claimed that they were not consulted with prior to the implementation of the number-coding scheme.

Fernando said the consultations with all the affected sectors started as early as five months ago when the clamor for the removal of the UVVRP was at its height.

Private vehicles next?

Next week, it could be the turn of private vehicles to be part of the MMDA experiment.

Fernando said he is contemplating the imposition of a number-coding scheme exclusively for private vehicles after trying out the scheme on PUVs this week.

The MMDA, through the Metro Manila Council, initially suspended the implementation of the UVVRP for three weeks from Feb. 3 to 21 as an experiment to determine its impact on traffic.Two days into the suspension, the transport groups demanded for the re-implementation of the scheme because of its impact on their operations.

He disclosed that the implementation of the number-coding scheme exclusively for private vehicles would be presented before the mayors in their emergency meeting this Friday.

On Monday after the three-week experimental period, the old UVVRP would be implemented temporarily if mayors fail to come up with a decision on Friday.

He reiterated that the reason the MMDA decided to experiment on the suspension of the number-coding scheme was the clamor of the public for the removal of the scheme when he assumed his post last June.

Depending on the results of the experiments, the MMDA would decide whether to re-implement the scheme on all vehicles or only on selected types.