Holiday exodus

The Christmas and New Year holiday exodus out of the city began over the weekend and will likely last until the first week of January.

- Marianne Go

The Christmas and New Year holiday exodus out of the city began over the weekend and will likely last until the first week of January. Finally, a two-week respite in the city from the maddening traffic that preceded the year-end holiday activities.

The traffic problem, of course, may still be unavoidable for those driving out to their home province, with balikbayan relatives in tow. I think no amount of advice will adequately prepare road warriors in the Philippines, except for the perennial advice to avoid drinking too much fluid before the long ride and to prepare some snacks just in case. Patience is a virtue.

These should be a given, but please make sure your vehicle is roadworthy. For those with electric vehicles, make sure your vehicle is adequately charged. It might not be easy to recharge outside of the metro unless your EV is a Toyota, which can assure you access to charging stations in provincial Toyota dealerships.

Unfortunately, our two tollway operators continue to face technical glitches that contribute to the slow flow of traffic, aggravated by car owners who still have not installed an RFID on their vehicles or who forget to load

or top up their RFID devices, thus delaying the long queue of vehicles.

On the other hand, if you are flying out of the city to the province or abroad, prepare for the airport crunch and madness that comes with the horde of like-minded travelers going home to join their families or spending the holidays somewhere cold and snowy for that true Christmas vibe.