photo taken from Google
Because of the congestion, a segregation scheme was implemented. This is basically just like the number coding that is already in effect on private vehicles. The only difference is that the segregation is not based on the last number on the plate but in a preplanned allotment of buses in three segments: these are Bus A, Bus B and Bus C. With this, specific buses can only load/unload passengers in assigned stops. Pretty simple right? This in effect should lessen travel times as the buses will only have limited stops. A very good plan if you ask me. The site of MMDA explains the "rules" in more detail.
This segregation has been in effect for almost a year now and initially, people are complaining about it. Some say that it is difficult for them because they have to go to certain stops just to ride a bus. Commuters initially had difficulties adjusting to this since again, they are used to just hailing a bus where ever they feel like it. I for one had no difficulty with this as the stops that will get me home and to where I work are both assigned to Bus B. I just had to look for a Bus B from Boni then get off at the Ayala stop.
Now why did I say that people are "initially" complaining about it? It's not because they got used to the system, but because the MMDA is not implementing this strictly. Buses could pick up passengers anywhere they want, same thing with unloading. I heard from the news before that the MMDA said that they cannot implement this segregation completely because they lack people. I find this reason absurd. Even if they only have one enforcer in every stop, it will be easy to enforce it. How? By giving tickets to all those buses that do not follow it. If the bus drivers know that the scheme is strictly being enforced, it won't matter of there is only one enforcer. They will adhere to it so that they won't be penalised. They can't say that the passengers want to get on/off anywhere they want since they have control in that situation, just close the door if they are not yet in the designated stop.
The MMDA is already looking into other means of decongesting EDSA like removing all the provincial buses that use it as there is still too much traffic. I believe that before they implement another plan, make sure that the first one they launched has actually been tested fully. They can't say that it is not working when we have barely felt it's presence.
