The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) are coming up with new plans meant to provide comfort for the passengers of Busway Carousel along Epifanio de los Santos (EDSA) Avenue.
MMDA acting chairman Carlo Dimayuga III recently met with DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor to discuss ways to improve the operations and infrastructure of the EDSA Busway to better serve the commuters.
The busway project designates the innermost lane of EDSA as exclusive lane for buses travelling along the 23.8-km national highway. It complement the operations of Metro Railway Transit line 3.
Since it started operation, the project has effectively reduced travel time from the previous three hours from Monumento to Paranaque, to just 50 minutes to one hour.
During his inspection in Monumento, Dimayuga said he intends to send additional traffic enforcers in the area, especially during rush hour. He added that portalets and tents will also be installed for the convenience of passengers.
Dimayuga also plans to expand the walkway at Monumento Station so that passers-by can access it faster.
The MMDA chief assured that his agency will work closely with the DOTr to improve other stations.
Meanwhile, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista considers dispatching more buses coming from the fleet of 550 number of authorized units (NAUs) in the Busway system.
To date, out of the 550 NAUs, an average of 406 units operate daily on the EDSA Busway.
Compliance of bus operators with the DOTr requirement for them to field 100 percent of their fleets will mean the addition of 50 to 100 buses to the number currently on the bus line.