CTTMO warns PUVs vs trip-cutting via coastal road

After formally opening the first segment of the Davao City Coastal Road to the public on Saturday (July 1), the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) has called on drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) to use their usual route and not pass through the newly opened highway.

CTTMO Head Dionisio Abude told the media on Monday his office has deployed personnel to monitor the 8-kilometer stretch from Bago Aplaya to Tulip Drive to regulate traffic and ensure road safety.

Abude said the mild traffic experienced in the coastal road over the weekend following its inauguration is bound to dwindle overtime as fewer motorists and pedestrians flock to the area for sight-seeing.

“Pipila pa ka adlaw siguro karon medyo ubay-ubay pa ang muadto didto kay magpicture-picture so mao pud na atong ginamonitor pud nato (In the next few days we still expect a considerable number of people to take pictures there so we are also monitoring that),” he said.

Abude, however, said traffic in the new highway can still build up as public jeepneys, buses and tricycles might bypass their designated routes and use the coastal road.

Jeepneys and buses that are apprehended trip-cutting through the coastal road will be referred to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in order to settle their offense.

“Ginapa-monitor nato basi naa na pud mag-short cut na mga PUJs, especially gikan sa Toril unya wala silay pasahero sa Bangkal-Matina diretso na diri sa downtown so pwede sila muagi didto pero ipa-monitor nato og ato gyud silang i-refer sa LTFRB (We are monitoring PUJs, especially those from Toril with no passengers in Bangkal-Matina all the way to downtown so they may want to take the coastal road, but we have that monitored and we will really refer them to the LTFRB),” said Abude.

The CTTMO, he said, has started apprehending tricycles in the coastal road and reiterated that these types of vehicles are not allowed on national highways.

The CTTMO Chief also urged pedestrians to follow traffic regulations along the coastal road.

“Na-recommend man gud nato na dinha na para sa mga pedestrians naay pedestrian lane. In fact, gi-emphasize nato didto na bawal ang skating, dapat ang mag-bike didto ug mag-jog, confined lang gyud didto sa bike lane (We recommended a pedestrian lane for our pedestrians. In fact, we have emphasized that skating is prohibited, and that cyclists and joggers must remain confined in the bike lane),” said Abude. CIO