MMDA: EDSA 'bus lane' along Pasay-Makati open to all motorists

With the MMDA’s No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) reintroduction on May 26, motorists have become very mindful of their driving habits, with a big number of them strictly following traffic rules.

EDSA, now a key NCAP-enforced route among Metro Manila’s 22 major roads, has seen a noticeable increase in traffic discipline, particularly concerning the bus lane. Motorists caught violating the bus lane face a substantial PHP 5,000 fine for the initial offense, with penalties for repeated violations escalating to as much as PHP 30,000.

However, are you aware that EDSA’s inner lane—commonly perceived by motorists as part of the bus lane from Taft Avenue to Buendia MRT Station northbound, and from Buendia MRT Station to Tramo southbound—is actually open to all types of vehicles? This also applies to the inner northbound and southbound 'bus lanes' within the Ayala Tunnel.

“Maaaring dumaan ang mga pribadong sasakyan sa leftmost lane o pinaka-kaliwang lane ng bahagi ng EDSA: mula TAFT AVENUE HANGGANG BUENDIA NORTHBOUND at mula PAGKALAMPAS NG BUENDIA HANGGANG TRAMO SOUTHBOUND, kabilang ang bahagi ng EDSA-Ayala tunnel sa parehong direksyon.
Ang EDSA Carousel buses naman ay sa service road dumaraan papuntang One Ayala terminal (para sa southbound) at tapat ng BGC-Bus EDSA terminal (para sa northbound).
Nakatakda rin alisin ng MMDA ang yellow line marking sa inner lane ng bahaging ito ng #EDSA,” says MMDA on its social media page.

(Private vehicles may pass through the leftmost lane or the innermost left lane of the portion of EDSA: from TAFT AVENUE UP TO BUENDIA NORTHBOUND and from PAST BUENDIA UP TO TRAMO SOUTHBOUND, including the portion of the EDSA-Ayala tunnel in both directions.

The EDSA Carousel buses, on the other hand, pass through the service road going to the One Ayala terminal (for southbound) and in front of the BGC-Bus EDSA terminal (for northbound). The MMDA is also set to remove the yellow line marking in the inner lane of this portion of #EDSA.)

This clarification, coming from the MMDA, is crucial for all motorists navigating EDSA, particularly given the strict enforcement of NCAP. Understanding which lanes are permissible for all vehicle types can help prevent unintended violations and contribute to a smoother flow of traffic. As the agency continues to refine its policies and infrastructure, staying informed remains the best strategy for responsible driving in the metro.