MAP bucks proposal on Busway access

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has expressed support for the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) guidelines on the use of EDSA Bus Lane, but opposed the proposal of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to allow a “convoy of 5 vehicles of officials” in the Busway.

In a statement signed by MAP President Benedicta Du-Báladad and MAP Infrastructure Committee Chair and Busway Advocate Eduardo H.Yap, MAP argued that the proposal must not be enforced as it contradicts globally accepted Busway standards “that account for its efficiency.”

“Accommodating convoys of officials demonstrates inconsistency of public policy,” MAP stated, stressing that the EDSA Busway should be more efficient for commuters and motorists, rather than favoring the privileged few.

They noted that the Busway is a dedicated lane for buses to improve the previously chaotic and ineffective bus service, addressing the needs of commuters.

“Now that a solution has been introduced with demonstrated effectiveness, it must not be allowed to be compromised or degraded by lax or ‘pusong mamon’ enforcement,” the statement read.

The Busway and Bus Rapid Transit systems, governed by restricted access and exclusivity, are the most cost-effective urban mass transit systems globally, according to MAP.

Therefore, it stressed that “all efforts must be exerted to adhere to these Busway standards to protect it from being degraded.”

If busway standards are violated, MAP presumed that the EDSA Busway would face potential collapse, resembling the chaotic service experienced when over 3,000 buses clogged yellow bus lanes.

Last Dec. 27, 2020, the EDSA Busway allowed 550 buses to carry up to 450,000 passengers daily.

Since the Busway’s inception on June 1, 2020, to the end of 2022, 154 million passengers have been transported within a 30-month period.

If you like this article, share it on social media by clicking any of the icons below.

Or in case you haven’t subscribed yet to our newsletter, please click SUBSCRIBE so you won’t miss the daily real estate news updates delivered right to your Inbox.

The article was originally published in Manila Bulletin and written by Ma. Joselie Garcia.