Are we saying goodbye to the EDSA bus lane?
Authorities said it is overlapping the MRT system.
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| Imagine EDSA without the bus lane again |
Another challenge for Filipino commuters?
In a PhilStar report, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes said the government is considering removing the EDSA bus lane once the MRT system is improved.
He said the suggestion was raised during a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Ang suggestion po kahapon ay kung maa-accommodate din ng MRT iyong mga pasahero po ng bus carousel since repetitive siya eh, same line. In fact, mas inconvenient pa nga ang bus dahil hindi lahat po ng station ng MRT ay may istasyon ng bus. So kung magagawa po iyan, mapi-free up po iyong isang lane, the official said.
Note that the EDSA bus lane has 23 stations operating 24/7, while MRT-3 only has 13 stations and has certain operating hours.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has said in a statement that the "EDSA busway continues to be one of the most efficient public road transport systems in Metro Manila."
Over 63 million commuters were recorded to have used the said bus carousel last year.
So far this year, more than 5.5 million passengers, or around 177,000 daily, have used this service. (Imagine them being added to the thousands of commuters already using the MRT!)
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista is waiting for the result of the feasibility study on how best to improve the EDSA Busway tapping private sector technical and financial expertise.
Meanwhile, an Inquirer report said that car owners may eventually pay to use EDSA, a proposal believed to encourage Filipinos to take public transportation instead.
According to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, this was also tackled in a recent meeting led by the President.
Remulla noted that this would only be implemented once the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan for EDSA could be rolled out.
What do you think guys?
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