Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC) and joint-venture partner, Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) announce the readiness of Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), for the expected increase in traffic volume due to government mandate of full implementation of face-to-face classes by November, with some expected to start as early as August.
With more vehicles expected to ply the 14-kilometer CAVITEX going to different schools and universities in Metro Manila, CIC foresees a 5-10% increase in daily average vehicle count vs current traffic. At present, an average of 150,000 motorists traverse the expressway on a daily basis.
MHI continues to invest in various traffic management technologies to help ensure smooth and safe travel for its motorists. This includes barrierless entry, Automatic License Plate Recognition at all toll lanes, variable message sign (VMS) that flashes traffic updates and motorists’ advisories along the expressway.
To help manage the increasing number of traffic that has now surpassed pre-pandemic numbers, CAVITEX had been activating counterflow lanes for Class 1 vehicles at Manila-bound (in front of Waste Transfer Facility and after Paranaque Toll Plaza) and Cavite-bound (in front of PITX and after Paranaque Toll Plaza) during rush hours of morning and afternoon, respectively and as needed.
Aside from traffic management on-ground, CIC continuously reminds customers to avail of its free Easytrip RFID to avoid long queues at cash lanes and for faster lane transactions. Expressway motorists can drop by CAVITEX Customer Service Centers (Manila and Cavite -bound) and at other stations along the expressway for free RFID installation and reloading services.
Available for both iOS and Android devices, CIC promotes the use of MPTC’s latest digital venture, the MPT DriveHub app.
“Our MPT DriveHub app was developed to further elevate our customer experience, so we really encourage them to download it. The app not only allows them to monitor their balance and passages but also provides them with traffic updates that are useful in planning their trips.
The app may also be used to connect with us for queries or emergency roadside assistance.” said CIC President and General Manager, Mr. Raul L. Ignacio.
CIC also reminds motorists to perform BLOWBAGETS (Battery, Lights, Oil, Water, Brake, Air, Gas, Engine, Tire, Self) prior to traveling.
“It is important for our expressway users to ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles to avoid vehicular breakdowns that may cause inconvenience to him and other motorists. We remind our motorists to perform BLOWBAGETS, and to ensure sufficient balance when passing through RFID lanes for seamless travel” said CIC Vice President for Operations Management, Ms. Ella Francisco.
Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC) is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road development arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).
MPTC is the biggest toll road builder and developer in the country. Aside from CAVITEX, MPTC’s domestic portfolio includes the concessions for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), and the NLEX Connector Road, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu.
CALAX Further Elevates Customer Experience Through Technology
CALAX is a 45-kilometer high-speed road network connecting the two provinces of Cavite and Laguna, targeting to serve around 45,000 motorists upon its completion. As of today, CALAX operates from Binan, Laguna up to the east of Silang, Cavite. It is set to be fully completed by 2023.
MPCALA Holdings Inc. (MHI), concessionaire of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) prides itself not only on the green and highly advanced features of its toll road but also on its continuous attempt at elevating its customer experience.
Aside from the convenience of traveling, CALAX has always been very keen on prioritizing its motorist safety — promoting road safety among stakes thru various channels and extending roadside assistance services, shaping it to be the most “motorist-friendly” expressway in the country. Since it opened in October 2019, there is zero fatality from road crash at CALAX.
MHI continues to invest in various traffic management technologies to help ensure smooth and safe travel for its motorists. This includes barrierless entry, Automatic License Plate Recognition at all toll lanes, variable message sign (VMS) that flashes traffic updates and motorists’ advisories along the expressway; a weigh-in-motion sensor that allows automatic detection of overloaded vehicles; and speed-detection cameras for the apprehension of over-speeding vehicles that will also be eventually used for contactless apprehension soon.
For roadside assistance, motorists can easily connect to its traffic control room with just a press of a button through its emergency call boxes strategically located along the expressway. These emergency call boxes have a built-in loudspeaker, camera, and hearing aids designed for the hearing impaired.
Aside from the call boxes, motorists can also opt to call for assistance using CALAX 24/7 hotline 1-35000 or via the MPT DriveHub app. Digital customer service agents are also made available via Facebook Messenger and CALAX website. All these channels connect the customers to CALAX Traffic Operations Center.
Just this year alone, CALAX’s patrol crew has successfully attended to a total of 634 motorist assistance requests along the expressway. The recorded average response time for attending to traffic incidents is 15 minutes. It led to the team garnering numerous commendations from some of the assisted motorists for its quick and efficient response.
“In CALAX, the safety of our travelers is on top of our minds. While we assure the quality of our road and our readiness to assist, some vehicular breakdowns are beyond control but most of them are preventable. We continue to remind our motorists to practice checking BLOWBAGETS before traveling and through this become our road safety partners,” said Mr. Raul L. Ignacio, President and General Manager of MPCALA Holdings Inc.
BLOWBAGETS, a handy mnemonic popularized by the PNP-Highway Patrol Group, is an effective car checklist reminder before hitting the road to prevent vehicular accidents and breakdowns. It stands for battery, lights, oil, water, brakes, air pressure, gas, engine, tires, and self.
CALAX is a 45-kilometer high-speed road network connecting the two provinces of Cavite and Laguna, targeting to serve around 45,000 motorists upon its completion. As of today, CALAX operates from Binan, Laguna up to the east of Silang, Cavite. It is set to be fully completed by 2023.
MPCALA Holdings Inc. is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the biggest toll road developer and operator in the country. Aside from CALAX, MPTC’s domestic portfolio includes the concessions for the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX), the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the NLEX Connector Road, the Subic- Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu.
