MMDA Plans to Revive Ban on Driver-Only Cars on EDSA

The government is once again looking into implementing the traffic scheme that prohibits single drivers to use the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) during rush hours.

According to Inquirer, MMDA plans to implement the Expanded High Occupancy Vehicle or HOV scheme after it enforces the abolishment on provincial buses on the 23.8-km highway.

These HOV lanes will prevent cars with only a single occupant–the driver–from traveling the EDSA stretch from North Avenue in Quezon City to Magallanes in Makati from 7 AM to 10 PM and 6 PM to 9 PM on weekdays.

Late last year, the MMDA suspended the traffic scheme after lawmakers asked to study the ban’s effectiveness in lessening Metro Manila’s traffic congestion.

MMDA General Manager Arturo ‘Jojo’ Garcia Jr. said that the HOV aims to encourage motorists to engage in ride-sharing. They are hoping to lessen by around 30 percent the number of private vehicles that traverse EDSA with this scheme.

“We are calling on the participation of everyone. Participate in the car-pooling program,” Garcia said.