MMDA: EDSA traffic noticeably light, but assessment may be too soon

The traffic along EDSA was unusually light on Wednesday evening, during the implementation of the dry run of the high-occupancy lane policy or EDSA driver only ban and the proposed ban on provincial buses during rush hour, Jamie Santos reported in Saksi.

At about 8 p.m. on Wednesday, which is considered rush hour, the cars are moving fast along Magallanes in Makati City.

The traffic only slowed down around the Ortigas area.

"Mukhang epektibo po 'yung bawal provincial bus sa EDSA kasi gaya po nun walang bumiyahe ng 6 to 9 p.m. sa EDSA. Umikot nga po ako para i-check pero maluwag (ang trapiko)," said Michael Beninsig, MMDA traffic enforcer.

On the driver only ban, however, 14 drivers who were driving without a companion were questioned for violating the policy.

But the MMDA traffic enforcers had a difficult time monitoring the ban.

"Mahirap po manita sa gabi, lalo na po kapag nasa dulong lane. Saka po madilim saka po pag tinted ang kotse," said Beninsig.

MMDA Asst. Sec. and spokesperson Celine Pialago said, "With this dry run makikita natin kung ito talaga 'yung pipigil sa pagpapatupad ng expanded HOV lanes."

When asked about the implementation of the driver only ban, Pialago told GMA News Online in a phone interview that an assessment on whether the new traffic policy is effective would be difficult to do on the first day of implementation.

"Too early to tell, too early to assess, to early to conclude," she said.

"Sa amin kanina, very unusual 'yung pagluwag ng daloy ng trapiko dito sa may Cubao pa lang. 7 in the morning, hindi bumubuntot 'yung traffic du'n sa may EDSA Cubao in particular, so medyo nagulat ho kami do'n, pero ayaw ho nating mag-conclude na dahil po 'yun sa HOV lane at sa provincial bus ban kasi masyado pa pong maaga," she added.

Pialago said there are other factors that should be considered, including the occurence of minor accidents and the implementation of the provincial bus ban.

"So far kung ire-rate po natin, at least naging light to moderate 'yung daloy ng trapiko kanina. ito ho, 'yung araw," she said.

"'Yung ibang areas po na inirereklamo sa'tin, 'yun po 'yung panibagong concern na haharapin, but with the resolution of our honorable senators, eh mag-aasign po tayo ng decision mula sa Metro Manila Council kung itutuloy natin 'yung dry run or what," she added. — with Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News