Yes, that’s right. The Odd-Even Scheme of the 1990’s is coming back for the next two years as the EDSA rebuild begins next month. Yesterday, MMDA Chair Don Artes announced the return of the old scheme to EDSA and stated that it will be enforced 24/7 on all sections of EDSA. Confused? Don’t worry, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming coding scheme.
How Does it Work?
Like the name suggests, motor vehicles will be divided into two groups: Plates ending in odd numbers and Plates ending in even numbers. Plates ending in odd numbers are prohibited from using EDSA on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Plates ending in even numbers are not allowed on EDSA on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Sunday will be a non-enforced day.
Starting June 16, the MMDA will be implementing a dry run for the newly implemented policy. Violators will be apprehended and given tickets, but no fines or penalties will apply.
So what does this mean for traffic flow? Artes mentioned in his press release that alternate routes will be published by the MMDA soon so stay tuned for that. Additionally, big vehicles, provincial buses, and trucks will be banned from entering EDSA from 5 A.M. to 10 P.M. Bike lane separators are going to be removed as well and an exclusive motorcycle lane will be opened (Please motorcyclists, stay in this lane).
The Daily Commute Plan
For commuters and people who drive to work, rest assured that there are going to be implementations coming to help. The MRT is going to have some serious changes to their system in the form of more trains running and a decongestion of queues. Additionally, the EDSA busway will remain operational during the entirety of the EDSA rebuild project.
Will the Odd-Even Scheme replace the regular coding scheme? Not at all. The Odd-Even Scheme will only be enforced along EDSA. Motorists need to still follow the regular coding scheme everywhere else.
In July to August, we may see the implementation of the toll being waived in some segments of Skyway Stage 3. That’s from Buendia to Balintawak. Note that it’s not the entirety of Skyway, but only the segments that will be designated as detours by the MMDA.
It sounds like a lot, but don’t worry. The MMDA assures us that there’s going to be changes should any part of the proposed scheme prove to be detrimental rather than beneficial. We have yet to see if EVs are going to be excempt here as well!
When you’re done here, check out these articles for more car news!
