New traffic scheme in BanTal to take effect next week

Local

EXPECT a different route on your way to Tintay next week, and stricter rules on the road across Cebu City.

Starting Monday, June 23, all public utility vehicles (PUVs) bound for Tintay will be rerouted under a new traffic scheme along the Banilad-Talamban corridor, while the truck ban will begin full enforcement throughout Cebu City.

This was announced by Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) head Racquel Arce on Thursday, June 19.

The rerouting affects all modern and traditional PUJs bound for Tintay. During afternoon rush hours, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., these vehicles can no longer pass through the Talamban Gym area.

Instead, they must take a right turn at Highway 77, bypass the gym junction, exit near the barangay hall, and proceed directly to Tintay.

“Tanan PUJs nga bound for Tintay mo-turn right na sa Highway 77. Dili na sila moagi sa junction padulong gym or merkado,” Arce said, explaining that the route change aims to reduce choke points near the gym area.

CCTO has coordinated with transport operators ahead of the implementation.

The new route forms part of the larger "discipline zone" traffic model, which will also see the expanded enforcement of Cebu City’s truck ban, including previously exempted garbage trucks.

“Sa balaod, exempted unta ang garbage trucks. Pero sa meeting ganiha, nasabutan nga apil na pod sila. Mao nga garbage trucks will also now be covered,” Arce said.

She emphasized that the expanded truck ban will now apply across the city, not just in the Banilad-Talamban area.

“Strict enforcement sa truck ban dili lang sa Bantal — tibuok syudad na ni,” she added.

This comes as part of a phased strategy to improve traffic discipline and reduce congestion. Arce said Bantal was prioritized because of long-standing issues with narrow roads, congestion, and undisciplined terminals.

“We’re starting in Talamban because, as they say, if you want to clean up, you begin in your own backyard,” Arce said. “This is also where the incoming mayor lives.”

Although Mayor-elect Nestor Archival has yet to assume office, Arce confirmed that the initiative has his support.

“Wala pa siya'y term, pero among gi-suggest sa iyaha, okay siya. Amenable siya,” she said.

The city has also observed early changes since implementing related measures two weeks ago, such as no-left-turn hours during the morning rush and crackdowns on illegal parking and habal-habal terminals.

“Naa na tay movement. So far, nakita nato nga naay improvement. Wala pa gani nag-start ang private schools, so dili pa ni ang tinuod nga test. I hope ma-sustain gyud nato ni,” Arce said.

Once fully implemented, the discipline zone approach will be expanded to other areas in the city, including Lahug, Salinas Drive, and the IT Park vicinity.

“After Talamban, sunod na ang IT Park, Salinas Drive, Lahug, until ma-cover nato ang tibuok syudad,” Arce said.(TGP)