By Gabriel Kim Leal
(February 6, 2025) – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday defended the EDSA Busway after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) floated the possibility of removing it once the MRT-3 increases its capacity.
The MMDA on Wednesday said it was among the recommendations made during a meeting with Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. on a comprehensive traffic management plan, claiming that the EDSA Busway is repetitive with the MRT-3.
DOTR executive assistant to the secretary Jonathan Gesmundo, however, refuted this, touting the bus carousel as one of the most efficient public transportation in Metro Manila.
“Ang pinaka-success nito ay makikita dahil kinokopya na ito sa Cebu at Davao,” said Gesmundo on One PH’s One Balita Pilipinas. “Paano mo masasabi na nagdu-duplicate? Ang MRT ay mula lang sa North Avenue hanggang Taft, pero ang Busway mula PITX (Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange) hanggang Monumento, mas mahaba.”
MMDA chairperson Romando Artes claimed that the EDSA Busway is “more inconvenient” because the MRT-3 can also serve bus passengers. He also suggested converting it into a “special lane” for high-occupancy vehicles.
Gesmundo acknowledged the ongoing improvements to MRT-3 but said these are not enough to replace the EDSA Busway.
“Merong ginagawa ang MRT from three-car train sets, gagawin nilang apat na bagon. Pero ‘yung ganung improvement sa MRT ay not sufficient para sabihin na lahat ng magco-commute ay sasakay na lang ng MRT, na hindi na natin kailangan ang busway,” added Gesmundo. “Mas maraming maseserbisyuhan ang mga bus.”
According to the DOTr, the EDSA Busway served over 63 million passengers in 2024. Last month alone, it catered to 5.5 million passengers, averaging 177,000 daily.
The MRT-3, meanwhile, served over 135 million passengers in 2024, averaging around 375,400 daily.
“It was just a suggestion. We will sit down with the MMDA,” assured Gesmundo.
The government has been repeatedly criticized by commuters and transportation advocates for being “car-centric.”
(PM)
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