Seeing Orange

Orange pylons have sprouted all over the streets of Metro Manila like proverbial mushrooms as the MMDA attempts to re-invent traffic in the metropolis. Intersections are blocked, lanes are re-configured, directions changed.

I am all for these experiments being conducted to find the best formula for improving traffic in Metro Manila. I will cooperate with color coding, number coding, no left turns, no U turns, no right turns, and I don’t mean to bitch about whatever temporary inconvenience these experiments may cause, but is it too much to ask that some pre-planning and warning be given?

Thursday before last I found myself in the middle of a traffic situation that can best be described as a gigantic snarl. Ortigas Center on a late Thursday morning is usually pretty orderly and moderate as far as traffic flow is concerned. But last Thursday vehicles going in all directions were weaving in and out and making unplanned turns because a new traffic scheme was being implemented along Julia Vargas Avenue in Ortigas Center in Pasig. MMDA crews were putting pylons at all intersections of Julia Vargas between EDSA and Meralco Avenue (the area of the shopping malls and restaurants), disallowing left turns but allowing U-turns at selected intersections. There were no signs, stoplights were blinking yellow and no one was directing traffic. Motorists–me included–had to roll down their windows and ask for instructions from the various MMDA people standing around, trying to look tough and pogi in their wrap-around shades. Cars were trying to turn right from the left lane, those in the middle lane were trying to make a U-turn, and people were yelling out of their windows as more pylons were set in place, not just at intersections but blocking off some lanes as well. It was over an hour before I found my way out of the tangled mess.

All these experiments and new traffic schemes will be unnecessary because traffic flow will be so much smoother if only the MMDA can and will discipline bus and jeepney drivers to follow rules and practice common courtesy, like loading and unloading only at designated stops and waiting their turn to do so, not stopping four abreast and blocking the entire road as they wait for passengers.

But it’s probably easier to disarm Saddam Hussein than to discipline our bus and jeepney drivers. So I guess we’ll have to rely on the UVVRP a.k.a. color coding, which is un-suspended starting tomorrow, or some new scheme to get our vehicles going.