Provincial buses now banned from using EDSA underpasses

MANILA, Philippines – In another bid to ease congestion along the major road artery of Metro Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will no longer allow provincial buses to use the underpasses of EDSA.

The MMDA said the directive was issued to “harmonize the traffic schemes currently being implemented on EDSA.” Provincial buses will now be limited only to the yellow lanes, and will be prohibited from using any of the underpasses of the 23.8-km thoroughfare.

Memorandum Circular Number 3, series of 2015, signed by MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino on September 9, cancelled a May 20 circular extending the implementation of guidelines on the use of EDSA underpasses by provincial buses.

The move coincides with another traffic congestion measure, the return of the truck ban on Metro Manila roads.

Starting Tuesday, September 15, trucks will not be allowed to travel on Metro Manila roads from 6 am to 10 am, and from 5 pm to 10 pm everyday, except on Sundays and holidays. Specific northern routes have been designated for these trucks.

The measure was adopted in preparation for the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, which the Philippines is hosting this year.

In recent weeks, the government has been crafting various strategies to ease worsening traffic in the Philippine national capital region.

Last week, some 150 highway police personnel began directing traffic on 6 choke points, or areas with very heavy traffic, along EDSA. (READ: Traffic plan: Gov’t to prioritize 6 EDSA ‘choke points’) – Rappler.com