Manila: Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Thursday expressed opposition to the proposal to allow carpooling vehicles on the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) Busway. Lopez emphasized that any initiative to open the busway to private vehicles, even under the pretense of carpooling, would ultimately disrupt bus operations and undermine the primary purpose for which the busway was established.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lopez stated that the busway was specifically designed to facilitate the movement of more people rather than more cars by offering fast and uninterrupted service to buses that accommodate up to 300,000 passengers daily. The proposal to allow carpooling on the busway was introduced by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre III as a measure to address traffic congestion in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Lopez reiterated the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., highlighting that government transport policy should focus on commuters and prioritize mass transit over car-centric solutions. He mentioned that numerous passengers have attested to the effectiveness of the EDSA Busway in delivering quick and efficient public transportation. Lopez asserted that this serves as sufficient reason to maintain the exclusivity of the EDSA Busway for buses and commuters.

Lopez also indicated that a dialogue remains open with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for Torre, other government agencies, and civil society organizations to collaboratively develop more innovative and comprehensive solutions to traffic challenges. Earlier this week, Torre mentioned that the MMDA is considering allowing high-occupancy vehicles, specifically those with at least 10 passengers, to utilize the EDSA Busway as a strategy to alleviate congestion in the metropolis. This proposal aims to promote carpooling, which involves sharing a ride in a private vehicle with multiple individuals.