Motorists traveling through EDSA have been experiencing much heavier traffic jams, even in the middle of the work week, due to the added EDSA Busway lane for ASEAN delegates, said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes said that once preparations for the ASEAN Summit conclude, the roads will no longer be as congested, as Summit days have been declared a holiday, reported RH 52 Edniel Parrosa.
“During talagang preparations, may mga traffic tayong nae-experience dahil nga sa may mga rehearsals ng traffic flow, ‘yung mga convoy routes. May adjustment din sa mga barriers,” Artes said.
Private motorists have been hesitant to use the extended bus lane recently implemented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), anticipating possible NCAP violations. DOTr Assistant Secretary Manuel de Guzman III emphasized, however, that only the leftmost lane remains exclusive to EDSA Carousel buses, while its “extension” is meant to be a priority lane for ASEAN delegates.
“It’s a shared lane with the buses pero tutulong po ‘yung SAICT for this spot and grupo ng buses para unhampered po ‘yung movement ng ating mga delegates,” he clarified.
Traffic was slow-moving even beyond rush hour Thursday morning, Parrosa reported.
Watch the full report below.
