#commuter-first transport

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has rejected proposals to allow carpooling vehicles coordinated through ride-sharing and mobility apps on the EDSA Busway, citing concerns that opening the dedicated lane to private vehicles would degrade the performance of Metro Manila’s primary mass transit corridor. Transportation Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez said the EDSA Busway was designed as a high-capacity people-moving system, not a shared roadway for private vehicles even those carrying multiple passengers. From a transport technology standpoint, the Busway operates like a full-scale Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Officials warned that mixing private vehicles into the lane would complicate system optimization and slow progress toward a smarter, more predictable transport network. Several transport and mobility groups have backed the DOTr’s position, noting that the Busway’s success is rooted in its exclusivity. However, Lopez stressed that any innovation must align with a commuter-first, mass-transit-oriented framework. “The goal of transport technology is not to move more cars,” Lopez said. Read more in our articles including "DOTr rejects carpooling on EDSA Busway, cites impact on mass transit efficiency" and "Pasig Mega Market gets Starlink internet for cashless payments".