The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has turned down proposals to allow carpooling on EDSA Busway, saying the system should remain focused on commuters. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) echoed the decision, stressing that the Busway was designed to move more people, not more cars.
DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan explained that opening the Busway to carpooling would reduce its capacity and affect efficiency. He said that their priority is to move more people, not more cars.
MMDA Chairman Don Artes added that the agency studied carpooling back in 2018 but found several issues, including enforcement challenges and the risk of illegal or “colorum” vehicles.
He pointed out the benefits of the Busway, noting that travel time from Balintawak to Mall of Asia has been cut from three to four hours to just one and a half hours. This saves 300,000 daily passengers valuable time for work and family.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and transport groups also backed the DOTr’s stance.
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What do you think of DOTr’s position regarding carpooling on the EDSA Busway? Stay tuned for updates.
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