MMDA warns motorists, riders: stay out of EDSA Carousel bus lane

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) warned motorists and riders to refrain from using the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) Carousel bus lane as aside from it being exclusive to passenger buses, and other specific vehicles, fatal incidents may occur should they not follow.

MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes issued the warning following the incident that happened at EDSA Shaw Boulevard tunnel-southbound on Wednesday morning, which led to the death of a motorcycle rider.

Per Artes, the agency’s Metrobase captured the incident where a motorcycle rider was possibly hit by a white sport utility vehicle (SUV) and was run over by a tanker while on the aforementioned portion of the major thoroughfare at around 5 a.m..

“It is with profound sadness that this incident happened. We express our deepest condolences to the family of the rider. We pray for their comfort in this difficult time," Artes said.

Based on the agency’s monitoring, both the rider and the SUV driver were using the exclusive lane when the incident happened, and the tanker was driving beside it.

With that, Artes reiterated that those allowed in the EDSA Carousel bus lane are passenger buses, ambulances, and marked government vehicles who are responding to emergencies.

“We keep on reminding motorists not to use the innermost lane of EDSA as it may result in an accident, but despite our repeated calls and pleas, many drivers of privately-owned vehicles and motorcycle riders disregard the policy,” Artes shared.

In addition, Artes cited that the increase in accidents in the final quarter of 2023 — coinciding with the imposition of the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the MMDA’s No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).

Relatedly, he said that the monitored traffic violations since the NCAP suspension also grew, noting that last month alone, 32,739 traffic violations were recorded.

“We find it difficult to enforce the exclusivity of the said lane without the certainty of a CCTV-assisted apprehension, thereby exposing our motorcycle riders to a greater risk,” Artes explained.

Further, Artes said the agency will also coordinate with the Office of the Solicitor General to show the agency’s data and to possibly file a motion for the Supreme Court (SC) to consider lifting the imposed order.

To recall it was in August 2022 when the highest court in the land issued the TRO against the NCAP.

Regarding the incident, Artes said the MMDA will also forward the CCTV footage and other pieces of evidence that might aid the Philippine National Police (PNP) with the investigation. He is also asking He also appealed to other motorists who witnessed the incident to come out, report to the authorities, and bring justice to the victim.

“We encourage the driver of the white SU and driver of the tanker to cooperate with the PNP to shed light on the incident,” Artes requested.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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