The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced plans to eliminate the bus lane on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) to alleviate congestion on this key Manila thoroughfare. MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes revealed that the proposal was discussed during a meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace. The decision comes as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to expand the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) system by adding an additional train car, which will increase capacity by 30%. Artes explained that with the MRT’s expansion, the need for a dedicated bus lane diminishes, especially since the train offers more stops and a more efficient route compared to the bus carousel. He emphasized that the MRT could handle the passenger load currently served by the bus lane, making the latter redundant. Furthermore, the DOTr aims to facilitate seamless transfers between different rail systems by connecting the MRT to the Light Rail Transit (LRT). Artes also floated the idea of transforming the bus lane into a special lane for high-occupancy vehicles, suggesting that vehicles carrying three or more passengers could use this lane exclusively. Alongside these changes, EDSA is slated for rehabilitation in March, which includes laying new asphalt to improve traffic flow. Artes hopes that these measures will significantly reduce the traffic jams on EDSA, which currently sees nearly double its ideal vehicle capacity of 250,000 per day, with counts reaching up to 470,000.
MMDA Proposes EDSA Bus Lane Removal to Enhance Traffic Flow
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