Goodbye, EDSA bus carousel?

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MMDA claims the government wants to scrap the EDSA Bus Carousel, citing its overlap with the MRT-3 route. But is that really the case?

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has hinted that the Philippine government is considering scrapping the EDSA Bus Carousel.

But before you panic, nothing is set in stone just yet.

During a Malacañang press briefing on Wednesday, February 5, MMDA Chairperson Don Artes said that the end of the carousel could come — only if MRT-3 can handle all the passengers currently relying on the buses and if the Philippine train system becomes fully interconnected.

In 2024, around 63 million people were served by the EDSA carousel, the Department of Transportation estimated.

Why they would want to scrap it? The MMDA argued that the EDSA carousel’s route overlaps with that of the MRT-3.

But do these two really share the same route?

Let’s break it down: MRT-3 runs from North Avenue Station in Quezon City all the way down to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City. It has a total of 13 stations.

Meanwhile, the EDSA bus carousel stretches from Monumento in Caloocan City to the PITX Terminal in Parañaque City with a total of 21 bus stops. So it’s not exactly a perfect overlap.

The EDSA Bus Carousel also serves as the main transportation option for late-night or early-morning commuters, as it operates 24/7. In contrast, the MRT-3 operates only during specific hours: from North Avenue Station, the first train departs at 4:30 am and the last one at 9:30 pm; from Taft Avenue Station, the first train departs at 5:05 am and the last one at 10:09 pm.

If the carousel gets the boot, Artes suggested turning the busway lane into a high-occupancy vehicle lane or vehicles with three to four passengers.

However, enforcing this might not be as simple, especially when politicians are known to use the busway to bypass traffic. Artes’ plan? AI cameras that count the number of people in vehicles — and for those with tinted windows? Just roll them down.

“This is not about being car-centric,” Artes insisted. “If the MRT can accommodate the passengers, we don’t see the need for buses.”

But wait, what about last year’s public spending to open new EDSA bus stations, including that viral wheelchair ramp that seemed more extreme sports than accessible?

Artes gave assurances that the stations could still be repurposed for provincial buses or UV Express routes. So, no wasted investment — yet. – Rappler.com 

More inclusive public transportation makes Philippine cities more liveable. Rappler has a dedicated space to stories about improving quality of life in our cities. Check out the Make Manila Liveable page here.