MMDA defers implementation of HOV lane

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has deferred the full implementation of the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane originally set on December 18 due to difficulty in monitoring heavily tinted vehicles traversing along EDSA.

Celine Pialago, MMDA Spokesperson, said Metrobase personnel monitoring closed circuit television cameras had difficulty checking on passengers inside heavily tinted vehicles.

“For the whole Christmas period, we will just list violators of the HOV lane,” said Pialago.

Moreover, motorists are not yet fully aware of the policy based on their fiveday assessment.

“Until such time that we resolve our challenge with heavily tinted vehicles, that’s the only time we will go after violators,” said Pialago.

The Metrobase failed to monitor how many passengers onboard the 7,530 vehicles with high tint have used the special lane from December 11 to 13.

Originally, the MMDA set December 18 the full enforcement of the policy where vehicles with only a single occupant caught plying the HOV lane will be fined.

Meanwhile, the holiday season continues to generate monstrous traffic in the metropolis, particularly shopping and entertainment destination areas.

Historically, around 20 percent of vehicle volume in major roads increases during the season. At present, at least 7,500 vehicles ply EDSA per hour, per lane.

Pialago appealed to public to bear with traffic caused by the holiday season.

“The MMDA is doing all its efforts to have a free fluid traffic flow this Christmas,” she said.