Transport and commuter advocacy groups in the Philippines have opposed a proposal to allow carpooling vehicles to use the EDSA Busway, warning that it would undermine the performance of the country’s flagship bus rapid transit corridor.
As per Advocacy group, allowing private vehicles into the exclusive bus lane would weaken public transport reliability and reduce travel-time benefits for bus commuters. The Move As One Coalition added that increased vehicle access would worsen congestion at stations, increase dwell times, and disrupt enforcement against busway violations.
The proposal, put forward by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Nicolas Torre III, would permit high-occupancy vehicles carrying at least 10 passengers to use the EDSA Busway. Transport group Piston said traffic along EDSA should instead be addressed by expanding and strengthening public transport options rather than reallocating busway capacity to private vehicles.