Private vehicles were asked to move aside as the convoy pass Mandaue City area. (CDN PHOTO/ SANTINO S. BUNACHITA)
Traffic management agencies in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu recommended the enforcement of a truck ban for the duration of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.
The presence of trucks along the route was seen to have caused the delay in the travel time of the practice convoys during today’s traffic re-route dry run which started after the truck ban was lifted.
There should also be fewer vehicles along the route between venues, said Joy Tumulak, Cebu City Traffic Operations (CCTO) operations chief.
This morning’s traffic dry-run started at Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort and Spa and ended at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.
It took 31 minutes to get from Shangri-La at an average speed of 40-60 kilometers per hour. It only took 23 minutes to get from Marco Polo to Shangri-La at an average speed of 60-70 kph.
“We’re thankful that the same strategy was implemented in Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu City to disregard traffic lights. Prior to the convoy, we also asked vehicles to be set aside. We’re happy with the result,” Tumulak said.
The convoy at the Radisson Blu Hotel. (CDN PHOTO/ SANTINO S. BUNACHITA)
The convoy though had to slow down in a portion of Plaridel St. And Pope John Paul II Ave. The convoy was composed of seven vehicles and five motorcycles.
Sirens were turned on during the travel.
CCTO executive director Rey Gealon, who also joined the dry-run, said they expect travel time to be shortened during the actual APEC trips.
“Considering the public weren’t informed, especially passenger jeepney drivers, we still manage to clock in 31 minutes. We expect that on D-Day when the delegates arrive, we’ll clock in a shortened time in extracting them from the airport towards the different venues,” Gealon said.
He said they will conduct a massive information dissemination days before the meetings so that the public will be well informed.
Gealon suggested that the public stay in their homes or work places and not go out on the streets during the meetings. At least two traffic enforcers were stationed in every intersection in Cebu City and were accompanied with police personnel.
Vehicles parked on the road along the route were also clamped while motorcycles were also impounded by CCTO personnel.