By Jel Santos
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said private vehicles may now use the old yellow lanes on EDSA previously allotted for the exclusive use of buses.
(Photo from MMDA via Jel Santos / MANILA BULLETIN)
On day one of the National Capitol Region’s shift to general community quarantine (GCQ), it was observed that most private vehicles were piling up at the innermost lane when in fact they could now use the yellow lanes, MMDA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago said.
That caused traffic congestion as they refused to use the old yellow lanes,” she said.
While travelling along EDSA, the spokesperson even resorted to using a megaphone to announce that private vehicles are allowed to use the old yellow lanes.
Meanwhile, MMDA said it is planning to implement the modified number coding scheme soon, saying “probably on June 8.”
The agency exempted medical frontliners from the new coding scheme after reaping backlash from netizens due to the earlier pronouncements of MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia.
Despite the reminders of MMDA, many commuters still lined up at old bus stops not designated by authorities.
It can be recalled that Pialago earlier reminded commuters to only wait for buses along the four designated bus stops located along North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Ayala Avenue, and Taft Avenue.
Because of the limited supply of public transportation, many returning workers got stranded for hours.
The number of passengers that the public transportation vehicles could accommodate has been reduced because strict health protocols are being imposed, especially on physical distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19.