MMDA allows motorists to use EDSA’s yellow lane to avoid traffic

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has allowed private motorists to use the yellow lane on EDSA in a bid to decongest vehicles plying the major thoroughfare.

MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago said the yellow lane, which was originally designated for buses, can now be used temporarily by private motorists while Metro Manila is under general community quarantine (GCQ).   

Pialago said they noticed heavy traffic along EDSA. They determined that it was because of private vehicles avoiding the yellow lanes in compliance with the rules. 

“Yung dating yellow lane is for buses noon, pero pwede na gamitin ngayon ng private vehicles. Tumukod ang traffic dahil ayaw gamitin ito ng mga motorista (The yellow lane was for buses before, but private vehicles can use it now. Traffic congestion rose because motorists did not want to use it),” Pialago said.  

Under existing traffic rules, private motorists using the yellow lane can be apprehended through the MMDA’s no-contact apprehension method.

Pialago said commuters encountered no problems with public transportation on EDSA after the government allowed the operation of point-to-point buses, shuttle services and some public buses for augmentation.

Metro Manila transitioned to GCQ from modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) on June 1 on the order of President Rodrigo Duterte. The ECQ and MECQ statuses limited the movement of vehicles and motorists.