With the Expanded HOV Lane on EDSA currently in effect (despite the stand of the Philippine Senate and public outcry from the commuting public), Grab Philippines wasted no time in sending a “friendly reminder” to all their users: don’t book a ride on EDSA.

In a pop-up screen displayed in their app, Grab put out the following message:

HOV Traffic Scheme in-effect 

The test run of MMDA’s proposed High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) traffic scheme on EDSA starts from 7 to 10 AM and from 6 to 9 PM.

We request all passengers to avoid setting your pick up and drop off pins along EDSA during these times. This will prevent our drivers from violating the traffic scheme.

If you’re puzzled by all this, let us remind you that this brilliant scheme by the MMDA covers both private AND public vehicles. This means empty taxis and TNVSes can’t traverse EDSA during rush hour and they cannot pick up passengers trying to book rides from a place like, well you know, the MMDA’s headquarters on Orense Street which is just off EDSA.