#EDSA Busway

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. Allowing carpooling vehicles on the Busway would also undermine future technology upgrades planned for the corridor. Several transport and mobility groups have backed the DOTr’s position, noting that the Busway’s success is rooted in its exclusivity. Operators warned that opening the lane, even partially could return EDSA to pre-Busway congestion levels, negatively affecting both commuters and operators. Commuters using the EDSA Busway can now pay their fares using GCash, as cashless payments have officially been rolled out across selected busway units. As of the initial rollout, 260 EDSA Busway units are already equipped with GCash SoundPay devices. Read more in our articles including "DOTr rejects carpooling on EDSA Busway, cites impact on mass transit efficiency" and "GCash now accepted as payment option on EDSA Busway".