ICYMI: April 15 start for e-bike and e-trike ban, PNR to stop Metro Manila ops, and more

E-bike, e-trike ban on major roads begins on April 15

“It looks like there’s no turning back now: The government is keen on banning e-bikes and e-trikes from major roads in the metro, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has just confirmed that implementation of the new policy will begin on April 15.

“MMDA acting chairman Atty. Romando Artes confirmed that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) have yet to be finalized, but the MMDA and other governing authorities will release them prior to April 15. 

“Artes also said that the IRR will clarify which types of vehicles will actually be allowed on bike lanes on major thoroughfares such as EDSA. He also mentioned an existing issuance from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) from 2022 that will be taken into consideration when finalizing the IRR. While he did not specify which one, we believe he was pertaining to this one.

“As for the requirements for licenses and registration, Artes said the Metro Manila Council’s resolution does not cover that. It is supposedly under the LTO’s jurisdiction, so keep an eye out on developments from the transport agency for more details. What the MMDA confirmed is that for now, if an electric vehicle without the need for a license or registration gets into an accident, authorities will resort to impounding the electrified, unregistered vehicle involved.”

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LGU traffic enforcers to be given authority to issue tickets

PHOTO BY Quezon City Government on Facebook

“Traffic enforcers of local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila will be given provisional authority by the MMDA to continue issuing traffic violation tickets in their respective jurisdictions. This comes after the Supreme Court ordered local governments to stop issuing traffic tickets and comply with the MMDA’s single ticketing system in a decision released last week.

“Acting MMDA chairman Artes has reiterated that the Supreme Court order is not yet final and executory. “We have agreed to give local traffic enforcers in Metro Manila provisional authority for now to prevent anarchy on the roads,” he said after a Metro Manila Council (MMDC) meeting with the mayors of the capital region, adding that erring motorists have been citing the Supreme Court decision in order to avoid apprehension.

“Each LGU shall provide the MMDA a list of traffic enforcers who will be authorized to issue ordinance violation receipts (OVR). The provisional deputization shall be valid until December 31, 2024. Mayor Francis Zamora of San Juan City said that deputized traffic enforcers will be required to wear identification cards to prove they have been authorized to issue traffic tickets.

“The MMDA itself will not be filing a motion for the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision to implement the single ticketing system, but each local government in Metro Manila may opt to do so. Those who have already expressed their intention to file a motion for reconsideration are the cities of Makati, Manila, and Mandaluyong, Artes said.

“In the meantime, LGUs have been requested to submit a list of their traffic ordinances to be included in the revision of the 2023 Metro Manila Traffic Code, in the event the Supreme Court’s decision becomes final and executory. The single ticketing system, which currently provides harmonized fines and penalties for 23 traffic violations, may also be expanded to include more violations.”

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PNR to halt Metro Manila operations beginning March 28

“Operations of the Governor Pascual–Tutuban and Tutuban-Alabang routes of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) will be suspended for five years beginning on March 28, 2024.

“The closure of these routes will help accelerate the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway in Metro Manila by roughly eight months, for savings of at least P15.18 billion, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). It will also help ensure the safety of passengers while construction is ongoing.

“To mitigate the impact on public transport users, the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are setting up a bus route between Tutuban and Alabang on both north- and southbound directions. A total of 25 buses will be deployed to service the 26.4km route. Travel time is expected to take one to two hours each way.

Proposed bus stops for PNR Tutuban-Alabang augmentation route

1. Alabang (Starmall) – 450 meters from PNR Alabang station
2. Alabang (Starmall), Bicutan exit – 4.6km and 4.4km, respectively from PNR Sucat station
3. Bicutan exit – 450 meters from PNR Bicutan station
4. Nichols exit – 600 meters from PNR Nichols station
5. Osmeña Highway – 150 meters from PNR EDSA station
6. Osmeña Highway – 100 meters from PNR Pasay station
7. Osmeña Highway – 70 meters from PNR Vito Cruz station
8. Osmeña Highway – 60 meters from PNR San Andres station
9. Quirino Avenue – 100 meters from PNR Paco station
10. Mayhaligue – 60 meters from PNR Tutuban station

“On the southbound direction, the buses will pass through Divisoria (Tutuban), Mayhaligue Street, Abad Santos Avenue, Recto Avenue, Legarda Street, Quirino Avenue, Nagtahan Flyover, Mabini Bridge, Quirino Avenue, Osmeña Highway, Nichols entry, South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Bicutan exit, Bicutan entry, and Alabang (Starmall).

“Northbound buses, meanwhile, will pass through Alabang (Starmall), Manila South Road, East Service Road, Alabang entry, SLEX, Bicutan exit, Bicutan entry, Nichols exit, Osmeña Highway, Quirino Avenue, Legarda Street, Recto Avenue, Abad Santos Avenue, Mayhaligue Street, and Divisoria (Tutuban).

Trip schedule of PNR Tutuban-Alabang bus 

Alabang to Tutuban

1. 5am
2. 6:30am
3. 11am
4. 11:45am
5. 5pm
6. 6:10pm

Tutuban to Alabang

1. 7:30am
2. 9:10am
3. 3pm
4. 3:20pm
5. 7:30pm
6. 9pm

“The 147km North-South Commuter Railway will pass through 28 cities between Clark, Pampanga, and Calamba, Laguna. Upon completion, it is expected to serve a daily ridership of 800,000 passengers.”

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Expressway above Katipunan, EDSA being discussed

PHOTO BY Shutterstock

“According to a report by Inquirer.net, Metro Pacific Tollways’ (MPTC) Manuel V. Pangilinan and San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) Ramon S. Ang are in talks to combine their toll road assets to form one infrastructure company, and that “up for discussion” at the moment are elevated expressways along Katipunan Avenue and EDSA.

“Pangilinan said he suggested building an elevated portion on Katipunan and C5, while Ang was the one who suggested the elevated expressway on EDSA.

“This proposal isn’t new, nor does it sound farfetched. You may recall in the past that SMC already floated the idea of building an expressway on EDSA. Lest we forget, there’s also the proposed Pasig River Expressway (PAREX). Whether or not these elevated tollways on major thoroughfares will rid our streets of traffic remains to be seen, but if the effects of Skyway Stage 3 are anything to go by, then we’re not expecting more toll roads to be more beneficial than detrimental.