MMDA to EDSA bus drivers: Stay in yellow lane!

File photo shows public utility buses in the yellow lane along EDSA.  INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday said it will further tighten the implementation of the Yellow Lane policy and at the same time reminded public utility bus drives to stay in the yellow lane when passing EDSA to help address traffic congestion.

MMDA operations chief and EDSA traffic chief Bong Nebrija said on Tuesday that city buses should stay in the yellow lane to have a “resemblance of order”.

“Isalangsang yung buses sa yellow lane para magkaroon ng resemblance of order kasi nga po for the longest period of time, yung pagma-manage ng EDSA is just like pulling the traffic,” Nebrija said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990 AM.

“Ang problema, kaka-pull mo ng traffic kung saan-saan napupunta yung mga buses, at sila rin yung nagbabara eventually,” he added.

Nebrija asked the public’s understanding as the traffic agency implements a stricter measure on the yellow lane policy.

“Marami lang talaga nagrereklamo sa akin kahapon na bus commuters na sinasabi nila na matagal na sila doon,” Nebrija said.

“Ang sabi ko naman, oo but we cannot allow you dahil kapag pinabayaan naming bumaba yan, lalo lang tayong may traffic, lalo lang tayo madedelay. Antayin nalang po natin na mahatak sa dulo,” he added.

The yellow lane policy of the MMDA prohibits private vehicles from using the said lane along EDSA except when making a turn

Yellow lanes, or the first and second lanes along EDSA, are intended for city buses alone.  / gsg