Driver-only car ban also implemented in other countries

Banning driver-only vehicles on major thoroughfares is not new in the international scene.

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recently implemented a driver-only car ban on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) as a solution to reduce traffic during peak hours.

Since the start of the weeklong test run, the MMDA has come under fire from the public, with people taking to social media to brand the policy as discriminatory.

The Senate issued a resolution calling for the ban’s suspension so the MMDA can “conduct public consultations, further study the ‘driver-only ban, and provide real solutions to Metro Manila traffic congestion.”

Palace OK with ban

But Malacañang on Thursday said that the policy was implemented by the MMDA based on good intentions.

“Hinahayaan niya (President Rodrigo Duterte) iyong mga miyembro ng gabinete na magpatupad ng kani-kanilang mga programa; basta ito naman ay hindi illegal ay sinasang-ayunan naman niya iyan ano,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

Roque noted that the policy was also being implemented in other countries with traffic woes such as the United States.

“Maganda naman po ang hangarin ng MMDA, mabawasan ang sasakyan sa EDSA. Ito naman po ay ginaya na rin natin doon sa experience ng maraming bansa gaya ng Estados Unidos,” Roque said.

“Sa Estados Unidos po talaga, mayroon talaga silang oras na devoted din, iyong sa mga tinatawag nilang express lanes na dapat minimum of two passengers,” he noted.

‘HOV’ lanes in US highways

Like the Philippines’ MMDA, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) implements the so-called “High Occupancy Vehicle” lane along major roads and highways.

According to the US DOT, HOV lanes would encourage ride-sharing and reduce traffic congestion.

“Typically, HOV lanes are open to motor vehicles carrying two or more people,” the US DOT explained on its website.

“The goal of HOV lanes is to provide an incentive to use ride-sharing and public transportation, remove congestion from normal lanes of travel, and improve overall traffic operations,” it said.

US states like California, Colorado, Minnesota, Utah, Texas and Virginia, among others, implement HOV lanes.

European, Asian countries

Similar policies were also implemented in countries in Europe and Asia, such as the Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, China, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Australia, among others.

In Jakarta, Indonesia, a “three-in-one” HOV lane rule was implemented in 2003. The policy was repealed in 2017 amid public outcry against it. Foreign media reports, however, said that travel times along Jakarta’s roads increased by 87%.

In Shenzen, China, carpool lanes were implemented in 2016 as a way to deal with traffic congestion along a freeway that connects two districts.

‘Let’s give it a chance’

Malacañang is appealing to the public to give the MMDA’s policy a chance.

“Pag may carpooling kasi, less cars on the road, at saka siyempre patuloy pong pataas ang presyo ng gasolina, makakatipid din tayo sa gasolina,” Roque said.

“Let’s give it a chance.  Lahat naman po ine-explore natin para magkaroon ng solusyon dito sa problema ng traffic,” he added. /ee