DOTr mulls EDSA busway counterflow to dissuade violators

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is considering reversing the directions of the EDSA bus carousel to make the busway more exclusive to only public buses.

According to Joseph Morong’s report in 24 Oras on Thursday, the plan would mean that northbound buses would be shifted towards the southbound lane instead of traversing EDSA along with other cars going north.

“Para exclusive lang yung busway sa buses, for public utility vehicles. Tapos yung pintuan ng bus nasa right side din, so mayroon ding safety considerations,” said DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista.

(We want to make our busway exclusive to buses, public utility vehicles. If you think about it, the bus door opens on the right side so there are safety considerations that must be considered.)

The department said it is already discussing the plan with bus companies operating along the busway. A decision could be finalized before the year ends.

This proposal is just one of the plans being considered by the DOTr following the incidents of private cars illegally using the busway to avoid traffic along EDSA.

Another plan being considered includes reducing the protocol plates being issued to government officials.

“Para talagang yung plate is to be used only by the official,” said Bautista.

(So the plate will only be used by the official that it was issued to.)

Among public officials, only the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Supreme Court Chief Justice are allowed to use the busway.

A Sport Utility Vehicle with a fake “7” protocol plate, which is only issued to senators, was earlier flagged for illegally passing through the northbound lane of the busway.

The SUV is reportedly registered under Orient Pacific Corporation, a firm owned by Kenneth Tan Gatchalian, who is a brother of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

The senator refused to comment if his brother owns the said vehicle.

“Andoon na sa LTO yung mga documents eh. Iwan na lang natin sa LTO,” said Gatchalian.

(The documents are already with the LTO. So let’s leave it to them.)

The DOTr said that it will conduct further investigation on the case for the filling of appropriate charges.
—Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News