The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is exploring the possibility of a dedicated motorcycle lane on EDSA as added measure helping solve the traffic congestion along the busiest and most traveled highway in Metro Manila.
The plan aims to address the growing number of motorcycles using EDSA currently estimated at 170,000 each day, according to Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista.
According to Bautista, the DOTr already had initial discussions with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on the dedicated lane for motorcycles along the major thoroughfare.
“The EDSA only has four lanes. We already have a busway in one lane. There is a bicycle lane on the right side. We are looking to maybe turn the area next to the bicycle lane into a motorcycle lane,” Bautista said.
“Because now you can see on EDSA, all the lanes are being eaten [by motorcycles]. We’re working with MMDA on how we can improve the traffic situation relating to motorcycles,” he added.
With a motorcycle lane in EDSA, the government also aims to address the economic cost of traffic congestion, Bautista added.
He cited a 2012 study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) saying that the economic cost of traffic is horrendous at P2.4 billion a day in Metro Manila.
In 2017, this cost hit P3.5 billion a day. The latest study in 2022 indicated losses from horrendous traffic of P4.9 billion a day. JICA forecast the number to balloon to P9 billion a day in 2030.
“This (cost relates to) the additional fuel, additional cost, lost opportunity for growth, lost time for our family,”Bautista said.
