THE number of vehicles plying the 23.8-kilometer long Epifanio delos Santos Avenue or EDSA is slowly nearing pre-pandemic level, but traffic flow is still much better compared to before, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Romando Artes.
“Right now, the MMDA is getting ready for the expected traffic congestion. We are nearing the pre-pandemic level in terms of the number of vehicles plying EDSA of 405,000. We are now on 384,000,” Artes said in a radio interview.
He said that per MMDA monitoring, despite the increasing number of vehicles on EDSA, traffic flow is still better compared to before.
“Traffic flow in EDSA right now stands at 21 kilometers per hour compared to the pre-pandemic level of from 11 to 13 kilometers per hour,” Artes added.
He said traffic build-up on EDSA starts from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Artes credited the improved traffic flow to several factors, including better traffic management by the agency. He also cited the continuing drive against traffic obstructions in Metro Manila’s roadways.
He said that as of Saturday, March 19, 44 public utility buses and Asian Utility Vehicles have been impounded by the agency’s traffic enforcers while 322 have been issued tickets for traffic obstruction.
He also credited their drive against colorum and out-of-line vehicles for the improved traffic flow.
Last week, Artes vowed to clear Metro Manila roadways of all traffic obstructions, including illegally parked vehicles, within three months before the new administration takes over on June 30.
