MMDA Yellow Lane Policy: Boon or Bane?

Ever since the MMDA "implemented" the yellow lane policy last July 9, commuters have had to endure a longer travel time.

Based on this policy, all buses and trucks are barred from using the flyovers, tunnels, and underpasses in specific hours of the day.   This policy has been in place by MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando in 2003 under MMDA Resolution #03-28 or the Edsa Organized Bus Route Project.  This resolution aims to effectively manage flow of the 3,000 buses plying the length of Edsa; unfortunately, it was not fully implemented.  Though I must admit that this policy have its merit the problem of enforcement remains to be a challenge.  Like all 60 km/hr speed limit along Commonwealth and the anti-jaywaking drive, buses and commuters will remain to be hard headed if this rules will not consistently be enforced.

Four days into the implementation of the yellow lane policy I got on to a bus at SM Mega Mall around 9pm  and with no MMDA enforcer manning the Ortigas flyover we drove on ahead without being stopped.  This bus was also cruising more that 60 km/hr along Commonwealth Avenue reckless as a drunk driver!  Whatever happened to the 24-hour MMDA manning of Edsa and Commonwealth?

Anyway, let's face it---the Filipino driver, both public and private, do not have the self discipline to follow traffic rules. The yellow lane is but a demarcation line and given the opportunity the undisciplined will cross it.  MMDA enforcers guard only the lane nearest underpasses and flyovers.  What happens in between is a free for all.  What results is a bunch of buses trying to squeeze back into the yellow lane before they reach the flyover and underpass.  This was what happened during my bus trip home last Monday.  Would you believe it took 30 minutes for the bus I'm in to get from SM Mega Mall to Robinson's Galleria.  Our bus was out of the yellow lane and before the Ortigas flyover we inched our way back.  Needless to say, our bus was not the only one trying to go back to the "right lane".  In no time the north-bound lane of Edsa Ortigas was blocked by these unruly bus drivers.


I do believe the problem here is the lack of strict and consistent ENFORCEMENT of the traffic rules.  MMDA should be strict not only near flyovers and underpasses but along the 24 kilometer length of Edsa.  Why do you think motorist follow the traffic rules in Makati and Subic?  Because traffic rules are strictly enforced in those places.  Walang paki-pakiusap!  Huli kung huli!  Dapat ganun ang MMDA!  If only MMDA will strictly implement the traffic rules and fine those breaking them they'd become one of the most lucrative profit centers of the government.

MMDA's Anti-Jaywalking Campaign

Like any other government initiative, MMDA's Anti-Jaywalking Campaign which had its kick-off last June 5 is another case of "ningas-kugon".  

During an interview last June 4, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said that the particular target of this drive is along Commonwealth Avenue where several incidents of hit and run accidents involving jaywalkers have happened.

Well, just this morning on my way to work, I saw a couple of jaywalkers (mostly students) doing their thing along Commonwealth Avenue near the Manggahan area.  The ironic thing was they were crossing in front of the new MMDA signage for this campaign.  I guess this campaign is only an 8-5 thing since obviously, there were no "men-in-red" manning the Commonwealth area when the bus I'm on ran the length of this thoroughfare at 5:45am. 

If there is no one doing the enforcing of this law then this is a useless campaign and a waste of the tax payer's money!

MMDA Traffic Penalties: A Lucrative Opportunity

I had the good fortune to hitch a ride with an officemate after work which meant a reprieve from the usual  10 minute walk to Edsa for my bus ride home.  Although it was not a door to door delivery for me it also meant minus Php 15 from the usual fare with my drop off point at Kamias.  Thank God for little miracles!

Anyway, as we traversed the Edsa route I couldn't help but notice a lot of private vehicles lined up on the "bus only" lane.  That got me ranting off on the other traffic and pedestrian violations that has gone unchecked and unpenalized.  By golly!  If I were the MMDA chairman I'd have my men line up along Edsa and ticket all those violators!  Just imagine how much revenue I can get from all those penalties!  And that's only along Edsa!  Expand that strategy along all MMDA covered roads and I'm sure that the agency will become the most lucrative in less than a year!  

Just this evening close to 20 private vehicles were inside the bus lane.  Do you know how much penalty that violation entails?  Php 1,200!  20 x Php 1,200 = Php 24,000 for that moment alone!  Did you know that having tinted windshield is illegal?  Yesireee!  And it carries a penalty of Php 500.  I'm sure more than 500 vehicles have tinted windshield; so if MMDA strictly implements this rule and penalizes these vehicles that would be an easy Php 250,000!  Oh, and there are those colorum vehicles!  When MMDA had a colorum crackdown last August 5, 2010 they netted 196 buses, taxicabs and AUVs along Edsa.  At Php 500 penalty the agency should have added Php 98,000 in their coffers!  

A few months back, MMDA implemented a 60kph speed limit along Commonwealth Avenue.  As usual, "ningaskugon" prevailed and it was good only a couple of days.  After that no more speed scanners and no more MMDA during critical times (especially in the evening).  Buses are notorious!  I ride a bus everyday and 90% of the time the buses that I'm on fly through Commonwealth Avenue!  With the right equipment and enough manpower catching 50 violators a day would be chicken feed and in the process earn the agency another Php 60,000 @ Php 1,200 penalty!

I can go on and on about this.  Here is an opportunity for our government to earn and at the same time instill discipline to our erring motorists.  

Only if the gentlemen sitting on the MMDA Chair open his eyes... 


To check on the list of MMDA traffic penalties click on this link 
http://www.mmda.gov.ph/penalties.html