FOR SENIOR Cyd Cotingting, the new one-way traffic scheme implemented on February 11 was “a bit of a hassle” because she had to go around using the longer route, but admitted that the traffic flowed better.

Cotingting is one of the many motorists on campus who are bound by the new scheme created by the Ateneo Traffic Group (ATG).

She also said that she had a hard time adjusting to the new system. “Especially seniors like me, who have been with the old system since our freshmen year, we still get a little confused on where to turn. But it’s actually nice that there are clear signs all around to help us.”

The said scheme was one of at least 16 traffic scenario models the ATG evaluated.

In his memo dated last January 18, University President Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ endorsed the new traffic scheme to the Ateneo community.

The memo read in part, “This change is intended to improve campus mobility and help us achieve our goal of a sustainable campus.”

Other feedback

“Epektibo naman po [ang bagong traffic scheme] kasi tuluy-tuloy po ang daloy ng trapiko (The new traffic scheme is effective because the flow of traffic was smooth.),” security guard Geoffrey Gavina said.

Gavina pertained to the traffic flow from 5:00 to 10:00 AM. He was stationed at the intersection of University Road and Father Masterson Drive.

“Mas magaan po sa mga motorista, lalo na sa mga estudyanteng pumapasok. Tuluy-tuloy po ang pagpasok nila (The scheme proved to be more convenient for the motorists, especially for the students.),” he added.

“This is only the first day. We will see again tomorrow.”

However, other motorists on campus were not satisfied with the new traffic scheme.

Michelle Melchor, a freshman student driver, said that the scheme was not a big help. “[So] far it hasn’t improved traffic. It’s like the traffic that used to be inside Ateneo is now displaced along Katipunan.”

She added that the scheme was “well-planned” but is not suitable for the campus.

Meanwhile, sophomore Katrina Mallari, who also drives to school, said that compared to the old system where the traffic situation at 8:00 AM is free-flowing, the new one had seen congestion during the same time.

Cotingting wondered why the implementation took place only several weeks before the end of the academic year. She said that the shift was “disorienting,” but clarified that she was not complaining.

Tricycle driver Gonzales Marcelino said that he wanted to observe the traffic flow more in the next few days, but already cast his doubts.

“Sa’min, sa mga tricycle, medyo nalayuan kami sa biyahe kaya ‘yung iba, kinakausap namin, nagdadagdag na lang [ng bayad] yung iba (For us tricycle drivers, we feel that the travel distance is now too far, so we ask passengers to pay more.).”

“Tapos ‘yun nga, sa traffic na yan, wala muna kaming kasagutan diyan, kasi talagang obserbasyon muna ng Ateneo. ‘Pag pangit, maraming magrereklamo diyan panigurado (As for the traffic scheme, we have yet to comment on it because observations are ongoing. If it’s not effective, a lot will definitely complain.).”

Arnel Francisco, another tricycle driver, had similar problems. He complained that the longer travel distance caused by the new scheme came at the expense of higher gas consumption.

“Pati ‘yung mga pasahero naaabala kasi dadaanan nila ‘yung trapik. Tapos, ‘yung dati naming pinipilahan, hindi na namin mapuntahan kasi malayo na nga, tapos lalabas pa kami (Even our passengers are inconvenienced because they have to pass through heavy traffic. Also, we find it harder to go back to the tricycle station on campus because of the longer route we now have to take.).”

Unlike Marcelino, Francisco already made his own speculations, saying that the old traffic scheme might be put back in place.

He also explained that when it rains, passengers will be dropped off at areas convenient for the tricycle drivers because the latter will otherwise have to take a longer distance to bring their passengers to their actual destinations.

Sanggunian evaluation

The Sanggunian posted on its Facebook page a preliminary assessment of the implementation from 6:00 to 8:00 AM on its first day.

In the post, the Sanggunian said that the general achievement was a smooth flow of vehicles in particular places on campus.

It noted that the new U-turn slot between Leong Hall and the cornfield car park slowed down the movement of vehicles entering University Avenue.

The remedial measure for this, it said, was to close the said U-turn from 6:00 to 8:00 AM and direct exiting cars to Parade Loop through the Social Development Complex and the Service Road leading to Gate 3.5.

Lastly, the Sanggunian may roll out a shuttle system for high school students coming from Marikina City. They will be dropped off in the grade school area and transported to the high school via shuttles.

Their cars need not travel a long way to the high school anymore. Updates will be given about this possible shuttle system.

With reports from Christian D. Cejalvo, Gilliann S. Ebreo, Athena A. Batanes, Pauline Y. Miranda and Maebel R. Joaquin.