The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is considering the removal of the EDSA Busway as part of efforts to enhance traffic flow in Metro Manila once the capacity of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) is expanded.
During a Palace press briefing on Wednesday, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes disclosed that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is currently working to expand the MRT's carrying capacity.
In a previous meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the MMDA and other relevant government agencies discussed the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan for Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces.
The plan aims to implement traffic management strategies and optimize the use of transportation infrastructure.
Artes noted that currently, only three trains operate per trip on the MRT-3. An additional train will be added as part of the expansion, which is expected to increase capacity by 30%.
"Ang naging usapan po suggestion is kung pwede ring iklian yung headway, meaning 'yung deperensya ng time or liitan yung time in between pagdating at pagalis ng bagon," said Artes.
With the planned expansion of the MRT-3, the proposal to remove the EDSA Bus Carousel has been raised, citing that it would be redundant since both services operate along the same route.
Artes further pointed out that if the proposal is implemented, one lane would be freed up. Another suggestion was to maintain the busway lane while allowing high-occupancy vehicles to utilize it.
He reiterated that if the trains can accommodate the passengers, there would be no need for the buses, emphasizing that the trains have the advantage of more stops compared to the bus carousel.
"And may plano po ang DOTr na talagang magkaroon ng seamless transfer from different train system like MRT, idugtong na talaga sa LRT 1, or iyong sa north, same, LRT 1," Artes stated.
He noted that the current situation involves passengers leaving the train station, disembarking, and then climbing to the opposite side.
With the DOTr's plan to interconnect key stations, he stated that this would be more beneficial for the riding public. At the same time, travel time on the MRT would be faster, as the headway between each train would be reduced, and space on EDSA would be freed up.
"Imagine ninyo one additional lane na magagamit ng mga sasakyan hindi naman po dahil car-centric tayo pero definitely makakapagpaluwag po iyan. Magiging repetitive lang po kasi kung kaya nang i-accommodate ng MRT iyong mga pasahero, we don’t see the need po for buses," he added.
When asked about the possible implementation timeline for the phaseout of the EDSA Bus Carousel, he mentioned that it would happen once the train systems are interconnected, and the added capacity and interconnectivity have proven to be efficient.
