NEWS: Driver-only vehicle ban as MMDA's solution in decongesting traffic in EDSA

By: Mary Aubrey Aramburo

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is aiming to fully implement the High Occupancy Vehicle Scheme on EDSA with a goal to reduce the number of cars and decongest the Metro Manila's traffic. The MMDA on August 15 begins the dry run for the traffic strategem, which forbid both private and public driver-only-vehicles to pass through EDSA during rush hour on weekdays. On the first day of the week-long dry run of the scheme, there were nearly 3000 drivers who has violated the scheme. MMDA General Manager Jose Garcia concludes that the traffic in EDSA slightly has improved as they conduct the dry-run. According to the policy, driver-only-vehicles are prohibited to pass through from all lanes of EDSA from North Edsa in Quezon City to Magallanes in Makati City from 7 a.m to 10 a.m and 6 p.m to 9 a.m to 9.p.m., Monday to Friday, except the crossing of EDSA. Violators will be fined P1000 once it is fully implemented. 

By Cielbee Gameng

August 23 is supposed to be the official implementation of the traffic strategem but the MMDA has decided to suspend it. MMDA General Manager Jose Garcia says that he does not want to implement the scheme without hearing and consulating the Metro Manila government officials, and project proposals of agencies must be voted upon.