MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to implement a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane along Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA) to further reduce vehicular volume.
The proposal was agreed upon during a meeting of the agency’s policymaking body Metro Manila Council (MMC) comprising of Metro Manila mayors Tuesday according to MMDA Assistant General Manager for Planning Jojo Garcia.
“The Metro Manila mayors believe that motorists should share their rides with two or more passengers in order to ease vehicular volume in EDSA. High occupancy vehicle lane will encourage them to do this,” Garcia said in a press conference Wednesday.
The MMDA will conduct a dry run for one week starting Monday to test the feasibility of the scheme.
Vehicles with at least two or more passengers inside may pass through the HOV Lane to be located at the fifth and left most lane along EDSA.
Motorcycle riders can also use the said lane aside from the motorcycle lane in the fourth lane.
Private car drivers with no companion can still use the motorcycle lane (2nd) and third lane from the MRT.
Violators will be apprehended through no contact apprehension and pay a fine of PHP500 for disregarding traffic signs once this is fully implemented.
The HOV Lane is seen to encourage carpooling among motorists resulting to the improvement of the traffic situation in Metro Manila.
At least 60 percent of vehicles passing through EDSA only have drivers based on data from the MMDA.
Around 7,500 vehicles pass along EDSA every hour per direction in excess of its maximum capacity of 6,000 vehicles per hour per direction. (PNA)
