No major accident was recorded at NLEX-SCTEX on Holy Week despite the increase in traffic volume, the NLEX Corporation reported.

The tollway company attributed the positive assessment to the preparations made particularly the deployment of traffic patrol crews and incident response teams at strategic areas, which also resulted in faster response times to vehicle breakdowns and other minor incidents.

Luigi Bautista, president and general manager of NLEX Corporation, noted the increased visibility and prompt response of NLEX-SCTEX patrol crews were significant in managing the traffic flow and instilling discipline among motorists.

From April 17-21, the “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” Motorist Assistance program was able to serve over 6,000 NLEX-SCTEX motorists who needed first aid treatment, drinking water, basic mechanic and towing services. The tollway firm’s data showed that 1,416 incidents were responded in both expressways with an average response time of 11 minutes. There were also 322 Class 1 motorists who were given free towing assistance.

Bautista said motorists experienced moderate to heavy traffic flow in NLEX-SCTEX on the peak Holy Week traffic days on Wednesday and Thursday as the traffic volume exceeded the expected 15% increase, hitting 400,000 average daily traffic.

“On Maundy Thursday, we implemented counterflow in San Fernando to address the traffic build-up caused by high volume of vehicles going to the provinces,” explained Bautista, adding that “toll collection points were added in Tarlac on the same day and in Bocaue on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday to better accommodate motorists returning to Manila.”

The NLEX Corporation deployed more than 700 tellers and patrol officers at the NLEX-SCTEX to enhance traffic management and toll collection services. NLEX-SCTEX personnel also extended working hours to closely monitor and manage the expected high volume of vehicles in Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, Bocaue, Tarlac, San Miguel, and Tipo toll plazas.

During peak periods, the Balintawak Toll Plaza opened a maximum of 24 toll collection points while Mindanao Avenue, and Tarlac toll plazas opened a maximum of 10 and 20 toll collection points, respectively. The Bocaue Toll Plaza also had a maximum of 59 collection points for Manila-bound motorists.

With this, Bautista lauded all NLEX-SCTEX personnel for tirelessly serving the public 24/7 during Lent. “At NLEX Corporation, we take pride in our committed and persistent employees who always go out of their way to ensure safe and convenient journeys for the public.”