After drawing much flak, MMDA relaxes Edsa ‘yellow lane’ rule

Drawing flak from motorists and commuters over the revived “yellow lane” policy, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday agreed to relax some of the rules for buses plying Edsa.

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino Thursday issued a memorandum spelling out changes in the lane restrictions, which immediately took effect Thursday afternoon.

The MMDA is now allowing both provincial and city buses to use the Ortigas flyover if they are northbound. These buses can also use the Magallanes interchange, whether they are going north or south.

Provincial buses have also been allowed to take the third lane of Edsa, the one immediately after the yellow lanes.

However, all provincial and city buses are still not allowed to use the tunnels and underpasses on the 24-km highway.

Tolentino issued the memo following Wednesday’s meeting with some 50 bus operators, who gave their feedback and suggestions on the yellow lane policy, which has been causing heavy traffic on Edsa since Monday.

The memo reiterated existing restrictions that designate loading and unloading zones and give buses only 25 seconds to stay at these stations.

The MMDA also said it would again strictly enforce its so-called “closed-door” policy for buses, which means that these vehicles, whether on city and provincial routes, must keep their doors closed when outside loading and unloading zones.

Tolentino, citing his power to unilaterally change provisions regarding fines for traffic offenses, said some revisions would be made on the closed-door rule.

For buses with two doors, he said, the bus driver will be fined P1,000 if the door near the front of the vehicle is left open, while the conductor will be penalized if it’s the door near the rear.

For “defective” doors, the bus operator will be the one fined, he said.

Emerson Carlos, MMDA assistant general manager for operations, expressed hope that the new rules would have an immediate effect on traffic conditions on Edsa.

“We expect that the enforcers will really go after violators of this memorandum circular, especially on the closed-door policy. They and their immediate supervisors will face sanctions if found not implementing any of these provisions,” he said.