Update on our petition - Oct 26, 2019 (update #5) - MMDA Replies

MMDA Replies to Letter/Petition to Increase Lanes for PUBs / Install Physical Barriers to Segregate Private Cars from PUBs / Scrap Plan to Ban Provincial Buses in EDSA

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Hi All,

I got a reply from MMDA regarding the letter.  Here's the summary:

1. On the request to increase the number of PUV lanes to 3 "which will improve commuter travel time"
- they are currently conducting a study on this system

2. On the idea of "repositioning" the bus lane near the MRT, similar to a BRT
- this is actually not in my letter.  They could be referring to the "Yellow Lane Reversal" I posted on my page (https://www.facebook.com/105319950843424/posts/132038094838276/).  Their concern is that bus lanes will block u-turns and left turning vehicles (note: buses currently block right turning vehicles; so that buses will not block left turning vehicles, they are supposed to take the flyovers or underpasses; anyway, this was not in the letter I sent to them)

3.  Placing barriers to separate the yellow lane
- they said they have already done it before, "but in terms of road safety, it only restricted maneuverability of the existing lanes of EDSA which caused too many accidents".  Now, they are revisiting the idea of installing concrete barriers.
- note: The maneuverability issue they are referring to probably is again a concern of private cars.  The use of barriers should not really be an issue for PUBs.  I really believe concrete barriers would be a big help especially if done properly as it will clearly separate PUBs from private cars. This will make the implementation of the yellow lane easier as it will make bus and private car segregation easier to obey and harder (if not impossible) to violate.  It will force private cars to turn right only at the broken lines and not occupy the yellow lanes.  The use of concrete barriers is being done in Ayala and in other roads.  It is used in flyovers. It is used almost anywhere where vehicles are not supposed to go to.

4.  Withdrawing the provincial bus ban
- they said it was in the provision of Executive Order No 67 of President Noynoy Aquino to provide an establishment of terminals in the North and South of Metro Manila

In various parts of the letter, they also mentioned that: 
(a.) MMDA is currently implementing a Bus Management and Dispatch System at the start and end of franchise routes for city buses and that they also have satellite Bus Management terminals (in my opinion, this supposedly aims to have more buses during peak hours and less buses during off peak hours; this is supposedly the solution to overstaying buses although it seems we still lack buses during peak hours and that there still are over staying buses during off peak hours) 
(b) they are providing an exclusive motorcycle lane along EDSA to maximize road space (?), and 
(c) there is a plan to close various bus terminals in Cubao and in Pasay although there is an injunction by the Quezon City Trial Court against this. 

Anyway, that is all for now.  MMDA did not reply to the request for a meeting but I really hope they (and all our traffic management agencies) will be serious in solving the traffic problem by coming up with policies that favor the PUBs over private cars as PUBs serve around 80% of the commuting public.  I hope they will be strict in implementing traffic rules (I hope they avoid phrases like "they are now 'more strictly' implementing something... what they need to do is consistently implement policies; not have times when policies are implemented; times when they are not implemented; times when they are "strictly" implemented, etc.).  Maybe our legislators can also come up with a law that will prioritize the majority by giving them more road space or lanes; this is so that we will not be relying on policies of agencies which may change depending on whoever is heading the agency.  I also hope all of us - bus drivers, private car drivers, passengers, pedestrians, vendors - will do our part by (1) having self discipline and (2) policing our law enforcers.  By item 2, I mean we will watch our law enforcers and report/post those who take bribes and those who are not working on duty.  It is their task to promote discipline by apprehending violators.  If they do not enforce the law, we cannot expect the people to have discipline.  Good policies, working enforcers and a disciplined citizenry are all needed to solve our traffic problem - in fact many of our country's problems.  But this traffic problem is already costing us billions per day and is robbing many families precious times with their loved ones so it is something we really need to address soon.  Solving the traffic problem would really be good for the economy.  A good economy could solve many of our problems - perhaps even the drug problem which our president says he wants to eliminate.  I hope we all do our part as we have no one to count on but ourselves.

Thank you very much.  I hope MMDA really acts on this, I hope our legislators come up with good policies and I hope we all have discipline so we get to solve this problem really soon.

Jun