Manila: Public transport groups led by the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines (PBOAP) on Friday expressed support for acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez's opposition to allowing carpooling vehicles on the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) busway. In a statement coursed through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), PBOAP executive director Alex Yague emphasized that the intent of the EDSA Busway would be 'defeated' if private vehicles are permitted to use it. "I agree with Secretary Lopez, the EDSA Carousel is designed for buses which are for mass transport," Yague stated.
According to Philippines News Agency, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) president Melencio Vargas expressed concerns that the proposal to allow carpooling on EDSA Busway would bring back congestion and worsen the commuter experience. "EDSA Busway is already operating smoothly, why change it? This will only lead to the old system of heavy traffic on EDSA," Vargas remarked.
Meanwhile, Pasang-Masda national president 'Ka Obet' Martin cautioned proponents of the carpooling policy about the logistical challenges posed by the EDSA Busway's single lane. "If more vehicles are allowed on the EDSA Busway, the bigger the possibility of getting blocked and affecting bus passengers," Martin warned.
On Thursday, Lopez voiced his opposition to the carpooling proposal, highlighting its potential impact on the busway's primary purpose of facilitating the movement of more people by providing fast and uninterrupted service to buses that transport up to 300,000 passengers daily. Earlier in the week, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre III disclosed a study exploring the viability of allowing high-occupancy vehicles, defined as those with at least 10 passengers, to utilize the EDSA Busway as a means to alleviate congestion in the metropolis. Torre indicated that the proposal is aimed at promoting carpooling or the practice of sharing a ride in a private vehicle with multiple people.
