MMDA: Odd-even scheme on Edsa to undergo dry-run starting June 16

Traffic along Edsa-Boni on April 18, 2022. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — The odd-even scheme for Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) will undergo a dry run starting June 16, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Tuesday.

The traffic scheme will be implemented during the P8.7-billion Edsa rebuild project, which is set to start on June 13 and is expected to run until 2027.

READ: Free toll, odd-even scheme to be enforced during Edsa rebuild – DOTr

The dry run is part of the MMDA’s information campaign to give the public ample time to adjust to the traffic scheme.

“No one will be apprehended during the first month. Violators will only be warned and issued a notice, but no fines will be imposed yet,” the MMDA said in an advisory.

Meanwhile, the following vehicles are exempted from the odd-even scheme, according to the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center:

• Electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and hybrids recognized by the Department of Energy under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act

• Motorcycles and non-motorized vehicles

• Emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police mobile units

• Public utility vehicles such as buses, jeepneys, and taxis

• Transport network vehicles operating under accredited ride-hailing platforms

• Authorized, marked government vehicles with official plates used for essential services

Vehicles crossing Edsa through intersections are also exempted from the odd-even scheme.

Under the odd-even scheme, vehicles with license plates ending in odd numbers (1,3,5,7,9) will be banned from passing through Edsa on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Those with even-numbered plates (0,2,4,6,8) will be prohibited on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

No restrictions will be implemented on Sundays.

MMDA Chair Don Artes earlier said the scheme would initially run 24/7, but noted the agency is considering implementing window hours./mcm