Group Opposes EDSA Bus Closure
Another call has been raised to do away with the EDSA Carousel and open the
exclusive lane for buses to all traffic.
This time, it's among solutions proposed to ease traffic congestion on EDSA
ahead of the country's hosting of the ASEAN Summit next year.
Again, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) came out to
oppose the initiative.
In a statement, the MAP said that instead of doing away with the EDSA
Busway, the MMDA should prioritize clearing traffic obstructions and
illegally parked vehicles along the Mabuhay Lanes that serve as alternative
routes connecting the north and south parts of Metro Manila.
The group argued that simply adding more lanes for private vehicles on EDSA
would not alleviate congestion, as these would end up just as congested.
MAP said one bus serves more passengers than even multiple private
vehicles.
"To think that a private vehicle with high occupancy on the Busway can
outload a bus in terms of occupancy is simply unrealistic," it said.
Dismantling the EDSA Carousel Line would contradict the 2017 National
Transport Policy, which prioritizes public transportation in providing
mobility solutions for the metropolis.
MAP noted that the privatization process for the EDSA Carousel Line is
nearing completion, with public bidding expected in the second quarter of
the year.
There is no going against the numbers. According to the DOTr, 63 million
commuters benefitted from the quicker travel time on the busway last year,
and to date, 177,000 Filipinos take the EDSA Busway daily.