MMDA mulls removing EDSA bus lane if MRT increases capacity
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has floated the idea of removing the EDSA bus lane if the MRT-3 increases capacity.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said in a press briefing on Feb. 5 that the Department of Transportation is currently working on adding 30% capacity to the train serving passengers along EDSA.
"Ang naging usapan po, kung pwede [iksian] 'yung headway, or yung time in between pagdating and pag alis ng bagon," he said.
"Suggestion po kahapon kung ma-accommodate din ng MRT 'yung pamasahe ng bus carousel, repetitive siya. Same line. In fact, mas inconvenient pa nga ang bus dahil 'di lahat ng station ng MRT ay may station ng bus," he added.
Once the bus lane is removed, it could be turned into a special lane for high-occupancy vehicles. To ensure that vehicles using the lane had three to four passengers, Artes said cars shouldn't have dark tints so AI cameras could see inside.
"'Di naman po dahil car centric tayo, pero definitely makakapagpaluwag [removing the bus lane]. Kasi kung kaya na i-accommodate ng MRT yung pasahero, we don’t see the need for buses," he said.
Artes noted that other improvements are underway for Metro Manila's train system, including connecting different lines.
He also said that if the bus lane is removed, the mass transport vehicle will no longer ply EDSA.
Before 2020, buses occupied two lanes along the right side of the major thoroughfare, which has always been plagued by traffic. As lockdowns were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, the EDSA busway was constructed, occupying one leftmost lane along EDSA.
Throughout the press conference, Artes clarified that this was only a suggestion and would only happen if the MRT will be able to accommodate commuters using the bus carousel.
"Wala pang definite date," he said.
"Once our train systems have already been interconnected and we have seen the efficiency of this extra capacity...our train system is now able to accommodate the passengers of the bus carousel then that will probably be the time to implement that," he continued.
Artes also shared that the MMDA is also studying imposing congestion charges on vehicles plying EDSA to encourage people to take public transport. He noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said this can only be implemented if mass transport is efficient.
"We understand in other countries like Singapore, they have congestion charges...This is to encourage [the] use of bus [and] public transport," he said.
In the same conference, Artes announced that the rehabilitation of EDSA will begin in March.
"Sec. Bonoan said the timetable and the preliminary traffic management plan are being made for the rehab of EDSA," Artes said. "The target is to start in March so that it can be finished in time for the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit)." The Philippines will host the ASEAN summit in 2026.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), meanwhile, said the EDSA busway “continues to be one of the most efficient public road transport system[s] in Metro Manila,” citing that over 63 million commuters benefited from it last year.
It added that in January 2025, the busway was used by more than 5.5 million passengers, with an average of 177,000 daily commuters.
“The EDSA busway is seen as a crucial step towards a progressive public transportation system with 23 stations operating 24/7, affording commuters a safe and reliable option for transport,” read the statement.
Meanwhile, the MRT-3 logged 135 million riders in 2024. (with reports from Helen M. Flores)