Fear not, dear commuters: The EDSA Busway isn’t going anywhere. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has assured the public that the dedicated bus lane along EDSA will remain in place, dismissing rumors of its removal to accommodate private vehicles.
In a recent interview on Radyo 630, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista confirmed the news, saying, “Yung feasibility study matatapos natin within the next few months. We’re expecting that we will be able to award the O&M of the EDSA Busway by the end of 2026.” This means that plans are underway to improve the operations and maintenance of the busway, ensuring it continues to serve the commuting public efficiently.
To further alleviate congestion along Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare, Bautista added that point-to-point (P2P) buses and airport express buses are now allowed to use the EDSA Busway. This move aims to provide faster and more convenient options for travelers, especially those heading to and from the airports.
According to the DOTr, over 63 million commuters have traveled along the EDSA Busway so far. Last month alone, the busway served more than 5.5 million passengers, with an average of 177,000 daily commuters. These numbers highlight the critical role the busway plays in the daily lives of many Filipinos.
On the flip side, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has pointed out the severe congestion on EDSA. Originally designed to accommodate 250,000 vehicles per day, EDSA now sees over 470,000 vehicles daily. The MMDA mentioned on Wednesday that the potential removal of the EDSA Bus Lane could “free up space” on the main road, but with the DOTr’s recent statements, it looks like the busway is here to stay.
In the meantime, if you’re a regular along EDSA, it might be worth exploring the newly added P2P and airport express bus services. They could save you time and offer a more comfortable ride amid the traffic.
Featured image from Wikipedia
