The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has urged the government not to dismantle the EDSA Bus Carousel, warning that removing the dedicated bus lane could worsen traffic congestion rather than improve it.
Public Transport First
In a statement, MAP called proposals to remove the EDSA Busway “ill-advised,” stressing that adding another lane for private vehicles would only attract more cars and not solve congestion.
The group pointed to the National Transport Policy of 2017, which prioritizes public transportation over private mobility.
“Any talk of dismantling the EDSA Bus Carousel at this stage would go against the national policy that mandates public transport solutions,” MAP stated.
MRT3 Limitations & Alternative Solutions
MAP also noted that Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) has a daily design capacity of 350,000 passengers, making it unable to fully absorb commuters if the busway is removed.
Instead, MAP urged the government to:
✅ Clear the Mabuhay Lanes of traffic obstructions and illegal parking
✅ Finalize the privatization of the EDSA Busway, currently in its final preparation stage with bidding expected in Q2 2025 under the PPP Center and World Bank
EDSA Busway’s Impact
The DOTr has defended the EDSA Bus Carousel, citing its efficiency in serving over 63 million passengers in 2024, with 5.5 million riders in January 2025 alone, averaging 177,000 daily users.