EDSA Busway interim operation starts today

The interim operations of the EDSA Busway has started today (Wednesday, July 1), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced.

In a joint statement with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), a total of 550 bus units are allowed to service under the EDSA Busway system. 

The government agencies assured that there will be no fare increase on the bus rides, which is targeted to "complement the operations of the MRT-3 line and its bus augmentation program."

However, bus operators are initially deploying 150 bus units. The agencies said that the number of buses will be "in addition to the buses deployed under the MRT-3 Bus Augmentation Program."

The interim operations of the EDSA Busway—covering bus stops from Monumento to the PITX—is aimed to cut travel time from the usual 2 to 3 hours, to just 45 minutes to an hour end-to-end.

Buses from Monumento to Quezon Avenue will be using the following bus stops located on the curbside for the meantime to pick-up and/or unload passengers:

• Bagong Barrio
• LRT Balintawak
• Kaingin Road
• LRT Muñoz Station
• MRT North Avenue Station (Southbound-Loading only, Northbound-Unloading Only)
• MRT Quezon Avenue Station (Southbound-Loading only, Northbound-Unloading Only)

"Meanwhile, retaining the existing set up, buses will shift using the median lanes with the partial operability of the busway section from Quezon Avenue all the way to Estrella," they explained.

After Estrella, buses will be allowed to pick-up and/or unload passengers at the following curbside stops from Buendia to the PITX:

• Buendia
• Ayala (Southbound-Unloading Only, Northbound-Loading and Unloading)
• Magallanes
• Evangelista/Malibay
• Taft Avenue (Southbound-Unloading Only, Northbound-Loading Only)
• Roxas Boulevard
• Macapagal Avenue
• SM Mall of Asia
• PITX

The agencies noted that the curbside stops in the said locations will be utilized "until the needed bus stops (including lighting, fences and canopies) are completed, and when the concrete barriers are placed on EDSA's median lanes."

Some 36,000 concrete barriers have been alloted for the EDSA Busway program. The barriers are expected to be delivered starting July 2 to 7, and are eyed to be completed come August or September this year.

Further, the LTFRB will also implement a mini loop from Timog Avenue to Santolan, starting tomorrow (Thursday, July 2). This mini loop will be serviced by shuttles or mini buses, and shall be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at designated curbside stops.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Facebook page

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