MMDA's Christmas Gift to Private Vehicles

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) just opened special motorized lanes for private vehicles in the spirit of Christmas. The so-called "Christmas Lanes", soon to be "Mabuhay Lanes" after the holidays, will serve as alternate routes for the long stretch of traffic often encountered in EDSA. Future traffic update: Expect routes cleared of obstructions (even "potholes and road nuisances will be immediately repaired) and traffic enforcers who are ready to assist you along the Christmas Lanes. The purpose of these lanes is to divert the private vehicles to special comfortable lanes so that they don't use EDSA anymore, thereby reducing the number of vehicles and hopefully improving the traffic situation in this major boulevard. Sounds promising? I think so. At least private car owners get less headache from competing with public transportation. I am really optimistic that they can find ways in the future to get the jeeps and buses to listen and follow the rules. In the meantime, I hope people would not take this as a bad thing. It's probably normal to feel confused at first sight. I have long heard of people complaining about traffic in EDSA. Now, there are some people who are trying to resolve the issue and it's probably their first time to take on this challenge so it might help if we share our suggestions on how to improve the new system peacefully.

I tried to decipher the routes but I don't drive in EDSA very much. I hope these images can be useful to other people by reposting it here. I copied it word for word (because I might make a mistake if I paraphrase) from http://www.mmda.gov.ph/Christmas-Lanes.html.

For Southbound (travelling from North-near Trinoma  to South-near Mall of Asia) vehicles, try out the routes from this map:

From McArthur Highway:

• Right turn to Samson Road, C-4/Letre, R-10, A. Bonifacio, Roxas Blvd., to destination.

From North Luzon Expressway:

• Exit at Mindanao Avenue Access Ramp, right at Mindanao Ave., left at Congressional, right at Tandang Sora crossing Commonwealth flyover, Katipunan Avenue, C-5, to destination.
• Exit at Mindanao Ave., Access Ramp, right at Mindanao Ave., left at North Avenue, QMC, right at Kalayaan, left at Kamias rd. right at Anonas, left at Aurora Blvd., right at Katipunan Avenue, C-5, to destination.
• Straight at A. Bonifacio Ave, left at C-3 - Araneta Ave., right at Aurora Blvd, R. Magsaysay Blvd., left at Nagtahan - P. Quirino Avenue, left at South Super Highway to destination.
• From West Avenue, right at Quezon Avenue, U-turn near Magbanua, right at Roces, right at T. Morato, right at E. Rodriguez, left at Gilmore, right at N. Domingo, left at Pinaglabanan, right at P. Guevarra, right at Shaw Blvd., left at Nueve de Pebrero, Maysilo, Francisco, Mandaluyong Makati Bridge, to destination.
• From Roosevelt, right turn at Quezon Avenue, U-turn after G. Araneta, right at G. Araneta, right at Aurora Blvd., Magsaysay Blvd., left at Nagtahan, Pres. Quirino, left at SSH, to destination.
• Mo. Ignacia left at Timog Ave. right at T. Morato, right at E. Rodriguez, left at Gilmore, right at N. Domingo, left at Pinaglabanan, right at P. Guevarra, right at Shaw Blvd., left at Nueve de Pebrero, Maysilo, Francisco, Mandaluyong Makati Bridge, to destination.
• Kamias Road left at T. Morato, right at E. Rodriguez, left at Gilmore, right at N. Domingo, left at Pinaglabanan, right at P. Guevarra, right at Shaw Blvd., left at Nueve de Pebrero, Maysilo, Francisco, Mandaluyong Makati Bridge, to destination.
• Shaw Blvd. left at Nueve de Pebrero, Maysilo, Francisco, Mandaluyong Makati Bridge, to destination.

For Northbound (travelling from South-near Mall of Asia to North-near Trinoma) vehicles, try out the routes from this map:

From Coastal Road Expressway:

• Straight at Roxas blvd to R10 right at C4, Samson road to destination.

From South Luzon Expressway:

• Exit to C-5, Katipunan, Tandang Sora Ave., U-turn at Congressional, right to Mindanao Ave., to destination.
• Pres.Osmeña highway, right turn to P. Quirino, Nagtahan, right at Magsaysay Blvd. left at C3 Araneta Ave. right at A.Bonifacio to destination.
• From Makati Area take Makati - Mandaluyong Bridge right at Fancisco, Maysilo, Nueve de Pebrero, cross Shaw Blvd. right at Wilson left at Ortigas Ave./ Granada, Hemady, right at E. Rodriguez, left at Tomas Morato, left at Timog Ave. Then right at Quezon Ave to QMC, right at Visayas Ave., left at congressional Ave., right at Mindanao Ave. to destination.
• From Makati Area take Makati - Mandaluyong Bridge right at Fancisco, Maysilo, Nueve de Pebrero, cross Shaw Blvd. right at Wilson left at Ortigas Ave./ Granada, Hemady, right at E. Rodriguez, left at Tomas Morato, right at Kamuning / Kamias to destination.
• From Makati Area take Makati - Mandaluyong Bridge right at Fancisco, Maysilo, Nueve de Pebrero, left/right at Shaw Blvd. to destination.

All routes and maps were taken from http://www.mmda.gov.ph/Christmas-Lanes.html.