Abalos wants elevated bus ramps, new motorcycle lanes on EDSA

During a meeting with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officials, the said organization’s new Chairman, Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos, shared his plans for Metro Manila. This meeting was held during his first day in office.  

At the said meeting, Abalos expressed his intention to address the U-turn slot issue with the use of elevated bus ramps. For those unaware, the MMDA has been closing U-turn slots located on EDSA as a part of the EDSA Busway Scheme. Its intention was to improve the travel time for commuters riding on buses.

The new MMDA Chairman, Benjamin "Benhur" de Castro Abalos Jr.

His planned implementation of elevated bus ramps is for the benefit of other motorists as these might serve to reduce the chance of heavy traffic caused by the closure of the U-turn slots.

With regards to this, Abalos also added that;   

 “I will meet with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and the Highway Patrol Group to discuss the bus lanes along EDSA.” 

Another issue that Abalos touched on was regarding motorcycle lanes. He mentioned that this lane might be positioned on the right-most side of EDSA. He also intends to implement pedestrian-friendly thoroughfares. In connection to this, the new MMDA chair also vowed to look into the functionality of escalators and elevators at the numerous MRT and LRT stations spread across Metro Manila.

Apart from the aforementioned, Abalos also expressed that the MMDA will focus on coordinating with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Metro Manila Mayors, and the National Task Force in the current fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The new MMDA chair bares his plans during a meeting

>>> Related: 7 essential services of MMDA in the Philippines

Last but not the least, the new MMDA Chairman also vowed that during his term, the MMDA will strive for output-based performance as well as transparency. He further stressed that attitude and discipline while implementing the agency’s policies will be enforced.  

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