Pockets lanes for PUJ loading, unloading in BanTal eyed

Local

MOTORISTS traversing the traffic-choked Banilad-Talamban (BanTal) corridor may soon see designated lay-bys for public utility jeepneys instead of the long-discussed road widening project.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) clarified on Friday, June 26, that the city is not pursuing road widening along the corridor due to the high cost of acquiring private properties.

Instead, it plans to establish pocket lanes or lay-bys where public utility jeepneys (PUJs) can safely load and unload passengers without blocking moving traffic.

The proposed lay-bys form part of a broader traffic management strategy for the BanTal corridor, which also includes introducing a dedicated motorcycle lane along the road's outermost lane.

"As far as Banilad to Talamban Gym, wala tay road widening. Nangita og lugar nga feasible for pocket lane," said CCTO head Raquel Arce.

She said the city intends to retain the existing two lanes in each direction while creating designated loading and unloading areas for PUJs outside the main traffic lanes.

"We cannot widen the area from Nasipit to Banilad. Atong buhaton, two lanes going north, two lanes going south, then naa lang gyud pocket area asa didto na lang ang PUJ stops," Arce explained.

She said allowing jeepneys to stop within the travel lanes would defeat the purpose of the city's planned motorcycle lane, which will occupy part of the existing roadway.

"We are in the process of establishing the lay-by or the pocket lane for the PUJ," she added.

According to Arce, widening the BanTal Road is currently not financially viable because of the expensive cost of purchasing adjacent private properties.

Instead, the city plans to maximize available road space and coordinate with private establishments that may be willing to allow portions of their frontage to serve as lay-bys.

"Mahal na kaayo acquiring lots for widening so we make use nalang sa unsa ang naa sa ato," she said.

Arce said the arrangement could also benefit businesses by attracting waiting passengers who may buy from nearby establishments.

However, the project will depend largely on securing the consent of participating property owners.

The CCTO has initially identified a limited number of possible sites and continues to negotiate with establishments.

As of now, the city is looking at establishing three pocket lanes along the northbound side and another three to four along the southbound direction between Banilad and the Talamban Gym.

Arce said properly designated lay-bys would prevent jeepneys from making unscheduled stops along the main carriageway, one of the recurring causes of congestion in the corridor.

She also expressed confidence that the complementary motorcycle lane would help organize traffic movement if motorists observe proper lane discipline.

Under the proposed setup, the entire outermost lane will function primarily as a motorcycle lane, although slow-moving vehicles may temporarily enter it when making right turns, accessing roadside establishments, or entering designated lay-by areas.

Motorcycles, however, will generally be required to remain within the designated lane except when preparing for left turns.

"Usa man gyud sa naka-cause og traffic kaning mga motor. Tan-aw nila naay gamay nga space nga makaalusot, molusot gyud sila," Arce said.

She added that disciplined lane use, combined with designated loading and unloading areas for PUJs, should help maintain smoother traffic flow even without expanding the roadway.

"Maflowing basta lang ang MPUJs naa lang gyud silas ilang loading and unloading area, dili basta-basta muhunong," she said.

Arce acknowledged that road widening remains the ideal long-term solution but said it is not currently feasible because the city has no budget for land acquisition.

The planned PUJ lay-bys complement Cebu City's proposed dedicated motorcycle lane along the five-kilometer BanTal corridor, a measure aimed at reducing counterflowing violations and improving road safety.

Earlier, CCTO Assistant Department Head and Legal Officer Atty. Kent Jongoy said motorcycle riders account for about 90 percent of the 20 to 30 counterflowing violations recorded daily along the corridor.

The motorcycle lane is expected to be implemented in July after the installation of road markings and traffic signages, with enforcement to be carried out by the CCTO in coordination with the Land Transportation Office and the Philippine National Police.(TGP)