Motorcycles may get exclusive lane on EDSA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation is studying establishing an exclusive motorcycle lane along EDSA to mitigate the traffic buildup along the highway, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said yesterday.

Based on DOTr figures, more than 170,000 motorcycles go through EDSA on a daily basis, according to Bautista.

He noted that while EDSA has a non-exclusive motorcycle lane, which is the fourth lane from the sidewalk, motorcycles travel through most of EDSA’s lanes and add to the traffic congestion.

Bautista said if the DOTr approves this measure, this would introduce another exclusive lane on EDSA. At present, EDSA hosts a busway on the innermost lane and a bicycle lane beside the sidewalk.

The DOTr is examining the viability of the proposal with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), eyeing to place the motorcycle lane beside the bicycle lane. The exclusive motorcycle lane would replace the current non-exclusive one.

“As you see on EDSA right now, motorcycles eat up all the lanes, (so) we are working with the MMDA on how we can improve the traffic situation relating to motorcycles,” Bautista said.

Bautista said an exclusive motorcycle lane on EDSA can help reduce the economic cost of traffic gridlocks in Metro Manila.

A study from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2012 indicated that the Philippines loses up to P2.4 billion in productivity a day due to its traffic problem.

JICA said the cost of lost productivity increased to P3.5 billion in 2017 and to P4.9 billion in 2022.

The government was warned that economic losses from Metro Manila’s traffic could hit P9 billion a day in 2030. Bautista stressed the importance of trying to come up with solutions to improve traffic conditions in the metropolis.

“The economic cost of traffic (covers) the additional fuel, the additional cost, lost opportunities for growth and lost time with family,” Bautista said.

Apart from this, the DOTr is embarking on a $140-million project to build an extended walkway on EDSA as part of efforts to enhance infrastructure for active transport.