Use of Edsa busway lanes by gov’t convoys opposed

MMDA operatives apprehend motorists who are not supposed to use the Edsa Carousel Bus Lane (Photo dated November 13, 2023)

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on Friday said it was opposing the decision of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to allow the vehicle convoys of the country’s five highest government officials to use the lanes dedicated to public buses along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa).

The influential business management group said the MMDA’s move must not become a policy, saying it runs counter to the globally accepted busway standards that account for the transportation system’s efficiency.

“The busway is a dedicated carriageway for buses to transport commuters that was introduced as a solution to the previous chaotic and inefficient bus service extant for many decades to the great detriment of commuters,” the MAP said in a statement.

“Now that a solution has been introduced with demonstrated effectiveness, it must not be allowed to be compromised or degraded by lax or pusong mamon (soft-hearted) enforcement,” it added.

The MAP further said that the restricted access and exclusivity of the Edsa Busway, aside from its alignment on the innermost lane, are the two most important standards governing the operation of the busway and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

“These standards are the very reasons the busway and BRT system are the most cost-effective urban mass transit system in the world,” said the MAP, adding that it must be protected from being degraded by such policies.

On Thursday, the MMDA announced that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has approved its recommendation to allow the convoys of the President, the Vice President, the Senate President, the House Speaker and the Chief Justice to use the busway beginning Nov. 20.

The MMDA said it was communicated to them through a letter from the DOTr dated Dec. 14, which effectively changed the current rules wherein only city buses authorized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire trucks and marked vehicles responding to emergencies are allowed to use the busway.

The policy change in the use of the Edsa busway happened a day before a convoy claimed by MMDA Task Force Special Operations Unit chief Edison Bong Nebrija to be that of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. was apprehended but was later allowed to pass through the busway.

Nebrija’s claim turned out to be false, prompting him to personally apologize to the senator and receive a 15- to 30-day suspension to pave the way for an investigation.