UPDATE: The MMDA postpones the full implementation of the Expanded HOV Policy. There will be no fines until the Metro Manila Council reconvenes (8/19).

Oops, the MMDA did it again. While you weren’t looking, the MMDA decided to go full-blown in its implementation of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) policy. From what was supposed to be a trial run, they’re going to implement it fines and all beginning Thursday, August 23, 2018.

The dry run for the new scheme still starts tomorrow, Wednesday, August 15 and will end on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. However, it’s all systems go beginning August 23, 2018.

In a notice published in The Manila Times (the full copy can be seen below) it finally defines the whole HOV thing. Here are some pertinent info about MMDA Regulation 18-005:

• The HOV Lane covers all lanes of EDSA from Balintawak, Quezon City up until Magallanes, Makati both north- and southbound.
• HOV is defined as all public and private motor vehicles, except motorcycles, with at least two (2) occupants including the driver.
• Non-HOV vehicles are prohibited to use EDSA from Balintawak, Quezon City to Magallanes, Makati from 7AM to 10AM and 6PM to 9PM from Mondays to Fridays.
• A fine of One Thousand Pesos (P 1,000.00) is imposed for the violation of this Regulation.

Now that we got all the legal stuff out of the way, let’s start talking about this whole HOV thing.

We refrained from talking about this issue hoping that the MMDA and the so-called Metro Manila Council (made up of the smart people we voted called mayors) would grow a brain; only they didn’t. Instead, they’re about to throw every single commuter (both public and private) under the proverbial bus just to beautify EDSA.

Here’s the problem: the MMDA isn’t ready for this and it’s sure as hell that the infrastructure isn’t ready for this too. Imagine needing to get to work or school and having to rely on small side streets parallel to EDSA to get around. Imagine commuters not being able to find a ride be it on taxis or TNVSes because they too are covered by the HOV ban.

If the MMDA’s calculations are correct, EDSA will see vehicular traffic drop by 70 percent and this makes for a good photo-op. But what about the side roads? It’s not going to be MMDA’s problem any more; that falls down to the mayors. This is the automotive equivalent of throwing trash on someone else’s front yard.

And you think politicians will care? Do you think they’ll give a shit? No, they won’t. They’ll be more than happy to get around, driven by their chauffeurs. Traffic? There’s no traffic as far as they’re concerned. EDSA looks fine based on what they can see through their SUVs.