MMDA says ‘singles’ ban on Edsa not against ride-hailing companies

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) clarified on Wednesday that its high occupancy vehicle (HOV) traffic scheme is not against ride-hailing companies.

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said the agency has already talked to Grab’s country head Brian Cu regarding the matter.

“Nagkaroon kami ng meeting with Grab, nagpunta dito sa office si Brian Cu noong Monday (We met with Grab’s Brian Cu on Monday),” Garcia said in a press conference.

“Sabi nga namin, hindi tayo against mag Grab. Hatid niyo, pagkababa niyo sa Edsa (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue), nearest exit, labas na. Kahit iba, kahit maghahatid ng school after that, labas na (We said we are not against Grab. After dropping passengers along Edsa, they should head for the nearest exit),” he added.

According to Garcia, the exits along Edsa have a gap of 50 to 100 meters, allowing motorists to immediately find their way out of the highway.

Grab, in its own advisory, appealed to its passengers to “avoid setting [their] pick-up and drop-off pins along Edsa” between 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. as much as possible.

The MMDA said that nearly 3,000 drivers were caught violating the new traffic scheme during the morning rush hour on the first day of the HOV traffic scheme dry-run. /ee – By: Faye Orellana