The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has sounded the alarm over proposals to remove the EDSA Bus Carousel, warning that this move could cause more traffic congestion instead of easing it.
Why Are Experts Against It?
MAP called the idea “ill-advised,” arguing that:
🔴 Adding another lane for private cars won’t solve the problem—it will only attract more vehicles and worsen traffic.
🔴 It goes against the 2017 National Transport Policy, which prioritizes public transportation to ensure smoother mobility for commuters.
🔴 The MRT-3 alone cannot handle the surge in passengers if the bus lane is removed, as its design capacity is only 350,000 passengers daily and cannot be easily expanded.
A Smarter Alternative?
Instead of removing the EDSA Busway, MAP suggests:
✅ Clearing the Mabuhay Lanes of illegally parked cars and traffic obstructions to improve alternate routes.
✅ Pushing forward with the privatization of the EDSA bus line, which is already in its final stages and expected to go up for bidding this year under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the World Bank.
EDSA Busway: A Lifeline for Millions
📊 In 2024 alone, the EDSA Bus Carousel served over 63 million passengers.
📊 In January 2025, 5.5 million commuters used it—an average of 177,000 riders per day.
With Metro Manila’s massive daily traffic volume, experts insist that removing the EDSA Bus Lane is not the answer—strengthening public transport is! 🚍💨
