Traffic officials said confusion and resistance from motorists were expected during the first day of full enforcement of Oplan BanTal: Discipline Zone, as the city shifted from an information campaign to stricter implementation of the new traffic scheme.
Cebu City Traffic Office (CCTO) head Raquel Arce said authorities anticipated mixed reactions after the five-day public information drive before enforcement began along the Banilad-Talamban (BanTal) corridor.
“As expected, whenever changes are introduced, people tend to resist them,” Arce said.
She said traffic remained heavy along both northbound and southbound lanes of Gov. Cuenco Avenue on Wednesday, but traffic personnel would continue assisting motorists while enforcing road rules.
Although full implementation started Wednesday, Arce said CCTO personnel would still exercise discretion, particularly in enforcing the motorcycle lane policy as motorists adjust to the new system.
She said education efforts on the proper use of the dedicated motorcycle lane would continue until Thursday, but traffic enforcers may issue citations depending on the violation.
Arce said she personally observed at least four motorcycle riders apprehended on Wednesday morning for crossing pedestrian lanes, while other motorists in Talamban were cited for various traffic violations.
She clarified, however, that most of the apprehensions were not related to the motorcycle lane policy.
Among the violations being penalized were motorists crossing solid lane markings, including motorcycle riders who abruptly shifted lanes to pick up or drop off passengers.
Arce also clarified that the designated outermost lane along the corridor is not exclusively for motorcycles.
“That lane is not exclusive,” she said, explaining that other vehicles may use the lane when turning right, entering establishments, or making other legitimate slow-moving maneuvers.
Motorists may also temporarily leave the lane to safely overtake stalled or illegally parked vehicles before returning to their proper lane, she added.
Arce said the rule prohibits improper or prolonged use of the lane, not temporary movements needed for safety or legitimate road maneuvers.
The CCTO chief identified the continued loading and unloading of passengers by traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) and modern public utility jeepneys (MPUJs) along the roadway as one of the major issues observed during the first day.
Under Oplan BanTal, public utility vehicles are required to use designated lay-bys instead of stopping along the outermost lane.
Arce said some drivers continued to treat the outer lane as a loading area, affecting traffic movement along the corridor.
She reminded PUJ and MPUJ drivers to fully enter designated lay-bys beyond the solid white line before loading and unloading passengers, then immediately return to traffic after completing the stop.
She added that lay-bys should not be used as waiting areas for passengers or as parking spaces for public utility vehicles.
Arce said transport cooperatives and operators had already been informed of the proper procedures following observations during the initial implementation.
She acknowledged that some confusion could have been avoided if a scheduled meeting with transport operators pushed through last Friday.
The orientation, which was supposed to be held at the Metropolitan Cebu Water District building, was postponed due to heavy rains, she said.
Despite the delay, Arce said authorities are continuing to explain the details of the traffic scheme while enforcement is ongoing.
Oplan BanTal entered full implementation on Wednesday following a five-day dry run and information campaign that started on Aug. 1.
The program covers Gov. Cuenco Avenue from Banilad to Talamban and includes designated passenger lay-bys, stricter pedestrian discipline, proper motorcycle lane use, synchronized traffic management, and continued enforcement.
Photo by Jacq Hernandez, PBB Photojournalist
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