Rider wants exemption from EDSA Busway regulation
“Motorists getting apprehended for entering the EDSA Busway is a common sighting, but this particular incident is a big head-scratcher. Gadget Addict recently shared on Facebook a video showing a rider who got caught misusing the bus lane. The man in the video refused to surrender his driver’s license, saying ‘Papasok na ako sa trabaho,’ as if giving his license was an option.
“He kept trying argue that he was just trying to avoid the traffic by using the EDSA Busway. The Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) officer told him that there would be no reason to flag down the rider for, well, no apparent reason. ‘Ah hindi, dapat lahat ng rules may exemption kayo,’ the rider said. Say what now?
“We’re trying to make sense of what the guy is saying, but we believe he wants to tell the enforcers that riders shouldn’t be apprehended for just using the EDSA Busway to try and weave in and out through traffic. No, sir, that’s not how it works.
“As the SAICT officer pointed out, that’s dangerous and riders could get hit by the buses passing through. Besides, what’s the point of the exclusive bike lanes if motorcycles would be allowed to use them, too?
“It took 30 minutes before the rider finally surrendered his license. But the debacle didn’t end there, as enforcers found out the rider didn’t have the OR and CR of his motorcycle, which resulted in another ticket. Lucky for him, his vehicle didn’t end up getting impounded.”
Rider caught on EDSA Busway refuses apprehension:
Fire damage to 19 vehicles to be shouldered by NAIA Terminal 3 carpark operator
“Philippine Skylanders Inc. (PSI), the private concessionaire operating the open-air carpark at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, has told the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) that it is willing to assume liability for the 19 vehicles damaged by a fire that broke out in the facility on Monday, April 22.
“‘We have already received a letter from the carpark operator informing us that they are willing to absorb or pay for the damages,’” confirmed Secretary Jaime Bautista of the Department of Transportation on April 23.
“MIAA spokesperson Atty. Chris Bendijo promised in an interview with Super Radyo DZBB that a line of communication will be established between the carpark operator and the vehicle owners. ‘My office is open for any individual na nadamay sa sunog na ’to. Pwede po silang lumapit sa fourth floor ng MIAA admin building.
“‘Of course, we’re still waiting for the result of the investigation of the Bureau of Fire Protection, pero nagpanguna naman po sila (PSI) na meron silang inaakong responsibilidad dito.’
“Initial reports stated that the blaze had originated from a grass fire. According to Bendijo, MIAA general manager Eric Jose Ines has instructed PSI to weed out all the dry grass in the lot in order to gain clearance to resume operations. The MIAA’s fire truck is on standby to prevent any fire recurrence.
“In 2019, PSI was awarded a 15-year lease contract for the lot within NAIA Terminal 3. Originally, it planned to put up a multipurpose commercial building inclusive of parking, but this was put on hold when the lot was eyed as a potential staging area in the construction of the Metro Manila Subway. PSI then secured permission to operate an open-air facility for the time being.”
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Should EDSA have a motorcycle lane?
“The DOTr says that according to a study, 170,000 motorcycles traverse EDSA daily. Adding a dedicated lane for motorcycles—which might entail reorganizing and repositioning the lanes—is now seen as ‘another measure to solve the traffic problem along EDSA.’
“‘Yung EDSA po natin four lanes lang po yan. Yung isang lane meron na tayong busway. Doon sa right side na portion yung bicycle lane. We are looking siguro po yung katabi ng bicycle lane ang gawin nating motorcycle lane,’ said DOTr secretary Bautista. ‘Kasi ngayon makikita niyo sa EDSA, lahat ng lane kinakain [ng motorcycle]. We’re working with MMDA on how we can improve the traffic situation relating to motorcycles.’
“No specific timeline was provided, nor were any further details discussed. What do you guys—especially those who ride and drive on EDSA daily—think of this idea from the DOTr? Will it help address traffic issues in the city?”
Marikina ‘end of trip’ facility to cater to cyclists
“As shared by Facebook page Inside Marikina, the local government unit of Marikina City is building a new ‘End of Trip Cycling Facility’ right in front of City Hall. Said facility will have shower rooms and parking areas where cyclists can freshen up and leave their bikes.
“The main parking area can also be used by cyclists who are headed to the Marikina Sports Center. The project is a joint effort between the LGU and the DOTr, with funding and design guidelines coming from the transport agency.
“No timeline has been provided for the project yet. That said, it’s refreshing to see LGUs like Marikina City continuing to push towards promoting cycling in their respective locales. Here’s hoping more cities follow suit.”
End of Trip Cycling Facility in the works in Marikina City
P4,000 fine for illegal parking not pushing through
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rejected the proposal of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) to increase the fine for illegal parking in Metro Manila to P4,000.
“The higher illegal parking fine, proposed under Joint Traffic Circular No. 01, was on the original list of ‘key measures to ease traffic congestion’ in the capital region and was supposed to be implemented beginning April 15. In a video statement on April 24, Marcos said the P1,000 illegal parking fine will be retained.
“‘While I understand the intention behind the proposal, I’ve decided to prioritize discipline over penalties,’ said Marcos.
“‘Ang bagong Pilipino ay disiplinado. By focusing on individual responsibility, we can create long-lasting solutions to our traffic challenges.’
“The aforementioned list of traffic-mitigating solutions also includes the ban on e-trikes, light electric vehicles, tricycles, and other similar modes of transport on national and local roads. Its implementation began on April 15, with the issuance of tickets, the imposition of fines, and the impounding of vehicles taking effect on April 17.
“On April 18, Marcos then ordered the suspension of fines and penalties for one month, saying that the implementing agencies should first focus on disseminating the guidelines to the public. Violators, however, shall still be pulled over by traffic enforcers to inform them about the new regulation.”
Alternate routes for six-month EDSA-Kamuning Flyover southbound closure
“In case you missed the latest update on the EDSA-Kamuning Flyover closure, it’s now set to begin on May 1, 2024, and will last six months instead of 11 months. Yes, half a year is still a long time, but given that the structure will undergo retrofitting and preventive rehabilitation as a safety measure against earthquakes and other natural disasters, it’s better to get the work over and done with in the soonest possible time.
“While a partial closure will be implemented on the southbound lanes, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has now announced that the affected area shall be off-limits to private vehicles and may only be used by buses plying the EDSA Bus Carousel route.
“Aside from Mabuhay Lanes, southbound motorists may also take the following alternate routes to bypass the flyover en route to the EDSA service road:
EDSA-Kamuning Flyover closure: Alternate routes for southbound private vehicles
- From EDSA or Quezon Avenue, turn right to Panay Avenue, left to Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, left to Timog Avenue, and right to EDSA service road.
- From EDSA or Quezon Avenue, turn right to Mother Ignacia Avenue, left to Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, left to Timog Avenue, and right to EDSA service road.
- From EDSA or Quezon Avenue, turn right to Panay Avenue or Mother Ignacia Avenue, left to Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, straight to 11th Jamboree Avenue, left to Kamuning Road, and right to EDSA service road.
- From EDSA or Quezon Avenue, turn right to Eugenio Lopez Jr. Drive or Scout Borromeo Street, left to Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, left to Timog Avenue, and right to EDSA service road.
- From EDSA or Quezon Avenue, turn right to Eugenio Lopez Jr. Drive or Scout Borromeo Street, left to Samar Avenue, left to Timog Avenue, and right to EDSA service road.
- From EDSA or Quezon Avenue, turn right to Eugenio Lopez Jr. Drive or Scout Borromeo Street, left to Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, straight to 11th Jamboree Avenue, left to Kamuning Road, and right to EDSA service road.
“MMDA acting chairman Atty. Romando Artes also promised that road-clearing operations in the vicinity will be intensified to help mitigate traffic congestion as more vehicles are diverted to the surrounding areas: ‘As necessary, the agency will conduct clearing operations to remove any road obstructions, including illegally parked vehicles, to ensure alternative routes are all accessible to vehicles.’
“Directional signage will also be installed and traffic marshals will be assigned to guide motorists.”
