MMDA eyes designated PUV stops along Commonwealth Avenue
METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Engr. Carlo Dimayuga III said the agency is eyeing to establish designated stops for public utility vehicles (PUVs) along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City in line with the setting up of an exclusive motorcycle lane along the road.
The acting Chairman and General Manager, Baltazar Melgar met with the representatives of Quezon City local government unit (LGU) and various jeepney operators last Tuesday, October 25, to discuss the putting up of designated bus and jeepney stops aimed to ensure safety among road users.
“There should be designated bus and jeepney stop for passengers as part of road safety. It’s about time to instill road discipline among all passenger vehicles,” said Dimayuga, during the preliminary meeting held at Barangay Commonwealth Hall.
The preliminary meeting was attended by representatives from Pasang Masda, ACTO, Stop and Go Transport Coalition, and UV Federation.
Dimayuga also sought the assistance of the Quezon City LGU and jeepney operators in identifying the loading and unloading areas along Commonwealth Avenue.
“Through this, we could strategize on how the PUVs could maneuver to their designated stops. We would like to confine pedestrians to designated loading and unloading areas,” Dimayuga stressed.
For his part, Pasang Masda President Obet Martin welcomed the plan of the MMDA and thanked Dimayuga for supporting the jeepney operators’ sector.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Chairman Dimayuga for addressing the concern of jeepney operators. We consider it as a welcome development,” Martin said.
To recall, the Metro Manila Council, composed of Metro Manila mayors, agreed in principle to establish an exclusive motorcycle lane on Commonwealth Avenue to avert road accidents.
In the MMDA Resolution No. 22-15, the right outermost lane of Commonwealth Avenue shall be designated as an exclusive bicycle lane.
The second lane and third lane of the same avenue will be designated as exclusive Public Utility Vehicles (for jeeps, UV Express, buses) and motorcycle lanes, respectively. The remaining lanes of Commonwealth Avenue shall be utilized by all other motor vehicles.
