MMDA begins removing illegal sheds along EDSA

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday started removing illegally-built waiting sheds along EDSA as part of its effort to improve its bus segregation system scheme.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the agency has identified six illegally-built waiting sheds along EDSA:  Kaingin, Reliance, Ortigas - MRT Station, Shaw Blvd. – Starmall, Main Avenue, and Bansalangin.

“These structures have caused confusion among commuters and bus drivers, particularly with the implementation of the bus segregation scheme, as they have been mistaken as legitimate bus stops,” Tolentino said.

On Thursday, MMDA personnel removed the waiting shed at Reliance (Southbound) near the Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center, followed by the one near Starmall, near Shaw Blvd. (Southbound).

Tolentino said these “colorum” waiting sheds were installed without clearance from MMDA.

Tolentino added that these bus stops were built overnight and were painted green to make it appear that these were put-up by the MMDA. However, Tolentino said under the bus segregation scheme, bus stops are either painted blue or red.

Last December 18, the MMDA implemented the bus segregation scheme on EDSA. Under the scheme, the MMDA will segregate bus stops along EDSA by making them alternately exclusive to “A,”“B” and “C” buses.

“A” buses are those that ply the EDSA-Alabang route and will only stop to pick-up or unload passengers at “A” bus stops (waiting sheds that are painted red) while “B” buses are those that ply the EDSA-Baclaran route and will only stop at “B” bus stops (waiting sheds that are painted blue). “C” buses meanwhile can stop in all bus stops.

The MMDA has marked the following bus stops (waiting sheds) as “A” bus stops: (Southbound) Ermin Garcia, Arayat Cubao, VV Soliven, Connecticut, Shaw Starmall, Guadalupe, Buendia Ave., Mantrade; (Northbound) Ermin Garcia, Cubao Farmers, Boni Serrano, SM Megamall, Shaw Blvd., Guadalupe, Buendia Ave. and Magallanes.

“B” bus stops are: (Southbound) Kamuning, Monte de Piedad, Main Ave., POEA Ortigas, Pioneer/Boni, Estrella and Ayala Ave. (Northbound) Baliwag/5Star, Main Ave., Ortigas Ave., SM Megamall, Pioneer/Boni, Estrella and Ayala Ave.

According to the MMDA said more than 3, 600 city buses ply EDSA on a daily basis, while another 7, 368 provincial buses whose companies operate terminals in the metropolis also used the same highway.

Metro buses are only allowed to use the two rightmost lanes of EDSA, commonly called the yellow lanes.