MMDA conducts dry run of EDSA high occupancy vehicle lane implementation

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Monday began its week-long dry run of the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane implementation, according to a report of GMA News' Bernadette Reyes on Unang Balita.

The HOV lane, the fifth lane or leftmost lane on EDSA, has been designated as a lane for vehicles transporting two or more people.

Vehicles being driven by only one person may use the motorcycle lane as well as the second and third lanes from the Metro Rail Transit 3.

Traffic controllers monitor motorists along EDSA on the first day of the dry run of the High Occupancy Vehicle Lane on Monday, December 11, 2017. Danny Pata

Once the MMDA fully implements the HOV lane, the penalty will be at least P500.

MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago clarified that vehicles intending to make a U-turn or go into any intersection on EDSA may take the HOV lane 200 meters from the U-turn slot or intersection.

"Ninety percent ng dumadaan sa EDSA, private vehicles. Sixty to 70 percent po nu'n mag-isa naman sila... Kung kayo ho ay mag-asawa, magkaibigan, magkatrabaho, why don't you share ride para ma-segregate natin, makatulong sa volume sa EDSA?" Pialago said on Unang Balita.

She added that the MMDA will know this week if the HOV lane will be fully implemented.

This week will be more of an information campaign. "Wala muna tayong i-a-apprehend," Pialago said.

Meanwhile, the MMDA spokesperson clarified that the 50 kph speed limit on EDSA is for public vehicles only. —KG, GMA News