EDSA traffic solution? No private cars during rush hours, lawmaker proposes

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker on Monday proposed to disallow private vehicles from traversing EDSA during rush hours.

Rep. Edgar Erice (2nd District Caloocan City) made the suggestion in a radio interview, saying it would help resolve the paralyzing traffic jam in EDSA. He stressed the need for an immediate solution to address the traffic problem in the metro.

Erice said the five lanes of EDSA should solely be dedicated for public transportation during rush hours to let workers and motorists go home earlier.

"Kaya ang aking proposal, mula alas-6 hanggang alas-9 ng umaga, at mula alas-6 ng gabi hanggang alas-9, e ipagbawal na ang mga private vehicles sa EDSA,” Erice said in an interview with DZMM.

(That’s why my proposal is from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. we should ban private vehicles in EDSA.)

“I-designate na lang natin yung five lanes of EDSA for public buses, mga UVs, mga mass transport. Iyan na lang po ang pwede nating dapat padaanin diyan," he added.

(Let’s designate the five lanes of EDSA for public buses, UVs, mass transport. These are the only ones we can allow to travel there.)

Erice said the ban on private vehicles on EDSA should be implemented while the MRT-3 rehabilitation is being completed and while the Metro Manila subway and a highway connecting the northern and southern Luzon expressways are still under construction.

The solon added that his proposal would not only decongest EDSA but would also benefit motorists and drivers.

He said private vehicles could save money from gasoline or fuel while bus drivers could earn more and might even have several trips during rush hours.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority spokesperson Celine Pialago said there are 386,000 to 402,000 vehicles traveling on EDSA daily.

The MMDA, which manages EDSA traffic, is currently implementing a yellow lane policy where city buses are only allowed to travel in the two outermost lanes of EDSA. This policy seeks to ease traffic congestion.

MMDA traffic czar Edison Nebrija warned that during "ber" months, vehicular volume on EDSA increases by 20%. 

He said an average of 405,882 vehicles travel EDSA in August and the vehicular volume is expected to balloon to 487,058 in the next months. The figure is higher than the vehicular volume recorded in December 2018. — Rosette Adel