EDSA Carousel

The EDSA Carousel, designated as Route E and officially as Route 1, is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system part of several bus routes in Metro Manila.[2] It is situated along EDSA and other roads, running on a dedicated right-of-way called the EDSA Busway, separated from normal road traffic in most of its stretch by concrete barriers and steel bollards on the innermost lane.[3]

EDSA Carousel
 E 
An EDSA Carousel bus in Caloocan
Overview
System
  • Mega Manila Consortium Corporation
  • ES Transport and Partners Consortium
Operator
Began serviceJuly 1, 2020 (2020-07-01)
PredecessorsVarious private bus companies via EDSA (as LTFRB franchise route)
Route
Route typeBus rapid transit
LocaleMetro Manila, Philippines
StartMonumento
ViaEDSA
Macapagal Boulevard
EndPITX
Length28 km (17 mi)
Stops21
Daily ridership389,579 (2022)[1]
Annual patronage80,832,186 (2022)[1]

Interim operations began on June 1, 2020, serving as a replacement of the former bus routes along EDSA, acting as an augmentation service to the MRT Line 3 due to the limited capacity restrictions put in place by the general community quarantine in Metro Manila as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.[4] Full operations began later on July 1, 2020. Intended to be largely served by bus stops along the median, some stops are temporarily served by bus stops on the curbside.[3][5][6]

The line is operated by the Mega Manila Consortium Corporation and ES Transport and Partners Consortium under the supervision of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).[7]

History
An EDSA Carousel bus near Mega Q-Mart bus stop, which was still under construction at that time.

Background

Epifanio de los Santos Avenue is the main thoroughfare of Metro Manila.[8] Traffic congestion has always been a concern in the area and since 2007, the MMDA ordered buses to stay on the two right-most lanes of the road.[9] Plastic barriers were later added in 2016.[10]

A proposal for a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, using funds from the World Bank was approved in 2017.[11] EDSA was intended to be the second phase of the implementation of the bus rapid transit system, following Quezon Avenue.[12] Line 2, known as the Central Corridor, will be eventually realized as the EDSA Carousel.

Development

On March 16, 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) imposed a community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted almost all public and private transportation using EDSA. This paved the way for the immediate construction of the EDSA Busway.

Traffic in the EDSA Busway is restricted to authorized city buses as well as emergency vehicles such as ambulances, firetrucks, and responders to emergencies.[13] Enforcement of the Busway is provided by MMDA Regulation No. 20-002, which was signed on July 28, 2020. Public and private motor vehicle drivers that violate the regulation are fined ₱1,000 for each offense.[14]

The EDSA Carousel line is distinct from the World Bank-funded BRT project.[15]

Opening

On July 1, 2020, the EDSA Carousel line, also designated as Route E, started its interim operations with a total of fifteen stops in a dedicated bus lane completed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.[16][17]

Proposed privatization and resumption of free rides

Due to the increasing amount of passengers as restrictions are slowly being relaxed, volumes of passengers began to increase as well. In the wake of increasing inflation and world market movements affecting currency values, free rides for the EDSA Carousel was announced for the remaining months of then-President Rodrigo Duterte's term. Upon Bongbong Marcos's assumption of the presidency, free rides were extended until the end of 2022, in spite of budgetary concerns.[18][19] However, the free rides introduced problems of ridership capacity and the amount of buses available to serve passengers during rush hours.

Proposals to privatize the operations of the EDSA Carousel to further improve its services were explored. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista is open to such proposals, adding these must be "explored expeditiously."[20]

Ridership

Since the line's opening in June 2020, the total ridership of the line 130,238,608 commuters within June 2020-November 2022. From June to December 2020, total ridership has reached a daily average 41,000 to 60,000 passengers,[21] and continues to rise throughout 2021, wherein the daily average of commuters using the line is 129,000 passengers,[22] with its highest record reaching 160,000 passengers in June 2021.[23] Total ridership in 2021 reached 47,104,197.[22]

In 2022, the line's highest record reached a total of 404,010 passengers on October 24, 2022, while the average daily ridership through the year is 389,579 passengers. Total ridership also increased to a new record high, as the line served 80,832,186 passengers.[1][24]

Stops
Monumento bus stop, the terminus of the EDSA Carousel

The line initially had 15 bus stops on its interim launch,[16] with additional stops added in the following months.[25][26] As of December 31, 2022, 21 bus stops are currently operational. There are 87 operators and 751 authorized buses that serve the entire route.[1]

List of stops
Name Distance (km) Type[27] Connections Location
Between
stops		 Total
Monumento — — Median
  •  9   14   35   37   42  Monumento
Caloocan
Bagong Barrio 0.55 0.55
  •  9   37  Bagong Barrio
Balintawak 1.55 2.10
Quezon City
Kaingin Road 0.80 2.90 none
Fernando Poe Jr.
Roosevelt		 1.10 4.00
  •  18   33   50   51   64  Fernando Poe Jr.
North Avenue 1.50 5.50
Quezon Avenue 1.30 6.80 Median
Mega Q-Mart 1.80 8.60 Median none
Main Avenue 1.60 10.20 Median none
Santolan 0.80 11.00
Ortigas 2.40 13.40 Median
Mandaluyong
Guadalupe[lower-alpha 1] 2.40 15.80 Median
  • Guadalupe
Mandaluyong–Makati boundary
Buendia — — Median
  •  17   42  Buendia Avenue
Makati
Ayala — 18.80 Curbside (northbound)
Boarding Lane (southbound)
Tramo[lower-alpha 2] — — Median
Pasay
Taft Avenue — 22.00
Roxas Boulevard — —
  •  5   6   7   14   23   29   34   43   52  Double Dragon Plaza
     22   35   45   46   47   49  Heritage Hotel
SM Mall of Asia[lower-alpha 2] — 24.60 Curbside
Macapagal – Bradco Avenue — —
  •  4   5   6   7   14   23   29   34   43   52  Bradco Avenue
Parañaque
Macapagal – City of Dreams / Ayala Malls Manila Bay — —
PITX — 28.10 Terminal
Stops, stations and transit systems in italics are either under construction or proposed.
Notes
  1. Guadalupe bus stop is located on Guadalupe Bridge.
  2. Southbound lane only.

Stop layout
Bus stop in Monumento

The line utilizes existing footbridges along EDSA by constructing additional stairways to the center island of EDSA. It also uses some stations of the MRT Line 3 and LRT Line 1 by making use of the train stations' emergency exit stairways.[25] Some bus stops, such as the ones at Ayala (northbound), SM Mall of Asia, and Macapagal Boulevard, still use the existing stops on the curbside, while the southbound Ayala bus stop is located inside One Ayala.[28][29]

Future

On November 16, 2020, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed an agreement with SM Prime Holdings, DM Wenceslao and Associates Inc., and Double Dragon Properties Corp. for the construction of EDSA busway bridges. The bridges will be shouldered by the three companies, seeking to provide safer, convenient, and PWD-friendly walkways for the riding public using the EDSA Carousel stops, and for pedestrians crossing EDSA.[30] The pedestrian bridges were conceptualized with concourses, concierge, ticketing booths, and turnstiles for the automated fare collection system. Ramps and elevators would also be available to provide accessibility for PWDs, senior citizens, and pregnant passengers. The structures will be strategically located at the SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, Macapagal Boulevard in Aseana City and the corner of EDSA and Macapagal Boulevard.[30][31] The groundbreaking ceremony for the EDSA Busway Concourse Project was held on May 18, 2021. It was expected to be completed in March 2022,[31] but no updates have been announced since then.

On June 20, 2022, the Department of Transportation announced an additional 11 more stops would be added to the EDSA Carousel, which would bring the total number of stops to 29.[32] As of January 2023, three of these proposed stops have been implemented.

List of future stops
Name[32] Type Connections Location
Ormoc Un­known
Quezon City
Kamuning - NIA
Cubao
Connecticut San Juan
Greenfields
Mandaluyong
Estrella Makati
Magallanes
Stops, stations and transit systems in italics are either under construction or proposed.

Incidents and accidents
  • On October 1, 2020, the "No Beep card, No entry" policy was implemented to minimize physical contact between commuters and public transport personnel to reduce their risk of getting COVID-19 and to allow for more seamless and faster transactions to trim down the queuing of passengers. The new policy has drawn flak from commuters due to the current price of the card and its immediate implementation.[33] Within the first week of its implementation, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) suspended the mandatory use of beep cards after AF Payments Incorporated refused the government's request to waive the ₱80.00 cost of Beep cards.[34]
  • When the bus stops from Monumento to North Avenue were opened, the U-turn slots were closed, causing heavy traffic at the said portion.[35] U-turn slots were reopened after few months to ease traffic flow.[36] In November 2021, traffic lights were installed at the U-turn slots to address concerns both of the bus accessibility and the traffic congestion it causes.
  • On April 13, 2022, the EDSA Carousel failed to keep up with the influx of demand as a result of the LRT-2 and MRT-3 being closed for annual Holy Week maintenance from April 13 to 17.[37] As a result, many work commuters struggled to go home as queues for the EDSA Carousel spilled out onto the road and its adjoining streets on all stops along the bus line.[37] Some were stranded at the stops beyond midnight, and many opted to walk home instead. The lack of buses has also been attributed to a slow rollout of service contracting subsidies and high gasoline prices which influenced drivers and operators not to ply their routes, in fear of operating at a loss.[38] Skip buses were deployed to decongest the EDSA Carousel stops, while motorists along EDSA had also offered to give stranded commuters a ride. Commuters criticized the intensified anti-colorum operations that took place on the same day, disturbing any attempts for private individuals to rescue the stranded commuters.[38] On April 14, the day after, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade issued a formal apology for the situation, acknowledging the lack of buses, and promising not to allow the incident to happen again.[38]

Road crashes

In a span of two years since the implementation of the EDSA Busway and the start of EDSA Carousel operations, multiple road crashes have been recorded within and outside of the EDSA Busway.[39]

  • Multiple instances of motor vehicles crashing into the concrete barriers of the EDSA Busway were recorded since the EDSA Carousel's operations started. According to MMDA traffic czar Edison Nebrija, most of the drivers who crashed their vehicles against the barriers were speeding, drunk, or asleep behind the wheel. Some of the concrete barriers have already been replaced with steel bollards following a series of accidents.[40]
  • Several road-related deaths and injuries have also been reported on the EDSA Busway itself due to collisions between buses and other legal and illegal vehicles, as well as jaywalking incidents.[39]

In light of this, the Move As One Coalition, a non-government transport advocacy organization, urged the government to implement at-grade crosswalks and speed limits, widen the EDSA Busway lanes, use safer barriers and BRT-compatible buses, and conduct proper training for bus drivers.[39]

Trespassing of unauthorized vehicles
EDSA Busway violators being apprehended by InterAgency Council on Traffic (IACT) enforcers in Pasay.

Multiple incidents of private and non-emergency government motor vehicles illegally using the EDSA Busway have also been recorded, causing disruptions to EDSA Carousel operations.

  • During the first month of operations in 2020, the MMDA reported that over 900 violators were apprehended and ticketed, half of which were government personnel.[41]
  • On July 20, 2023, photos of a sting operation conducted by InterAgency Council on Traffic enforcers went viral online as over 150 motorists were apprehended and ticketed for illegally using the EDSA Busway in Pasay, as the DOTr and MMDA issued a reminder to motorists to respect the exclusivity of the EDSA Busway.[42]

See also

References
  1. Zurbano, Joel (June 24, 2020). "EDSA Busway seamless and faster—DOTr". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  2. Subingsubing, Krixia (July 2, 2020). "Edsa 'transformation' now comes with loops, 'carousel'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  3. "Interim operation of busway along 'new Edsa' begins". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  4. "New Edsa bus stops 80% complete: MMDA". Philippine News Agency. July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  5. Zurbano, Joel; Amojelar, Darwin (July 2, 2020). "EDSA Busway rolls out with 12 stop stations". Manila Standard. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  6. "Resolution No. 81 Series of 2020" (PDF). Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. May 30, 2020.
  7. Peter Uckung (February 22, 2012). "History in Asphalt (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) is the longest road in Metro Manila. Peter Uckung, senior researcher at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), explains how this thoroughfare came to be.)". BusinessWorld. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
  8. "MMDA Resolution No. 03-28". Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Archived from the original on November 30, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  9. Zarzuela, Maricar B. (January 12, 2016). "Private cars can't enter Edsa bus lanes starting Jan. 18". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  10. Zhang, Jane; Llorito, David (March 16, 2017). "Philippines: First Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit Line to Benefit Thousands of Commuters Daily". World Bank. World Bank. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  11. "Project Details - BUILD". Build, Build, Build: Philippine Infrastructure Transparency Portal. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  12. "MMDA: Gov't men top violators of Edsa busway rule". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  13. "MMDA Regulation No. 20-002: Designating Exclusive City Bus Lanes Along EDSA and Providing Penalties for Violation thereof, Subject to Exceptions" (PDF). Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. July 28, 2020.
  14. "San Miguel plans bus rapid transit on Skyway 3". Rappler. April 26, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  15. Rodriguez, Mia (July 1, 2020). "The New EDSA Busways: Bus Routes, Stops + More". SPOT.PH. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  16. San Juan, A.D. (September 4, 2020). "DOTr, MMDA to open 3 additional median bus stops on EDSA Busway". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  17. "Marcos extends free EDSA Bus Carousel rides, approves free rides for students in select train lines". CNN Philippines. July 1, 2022.
  18. "P1.4B released for free EDSA bus rides until yearend". BusinessWorld. August 16, 2022.
  19. Piatos, Tiziana Celine (September 11, 2022). "Privatization of the EDSA busway eyed – DoTr". The Manila Times.
  20. "LTFRB eyes more passengers on buses to cut long Edsa Busway queues". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  21. Abadilla, Emmie V. (January 21, 2022). "EDSA busway ridership hits over 47 M". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  22. Ramos, Mariejo S. (June 19, 2021). "More commuters seeking free bus rides". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  23. "Edsa busway commuters reach all-time high at 404K in October". MSN.
  24. Villanueva, Ralph Edwin. "3 EDSA Busway stops open today". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  25. "3 additional median stops open on EDSA Busway". UNTV News. September 7, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  26. "Ilan ang operational stations sa EDSA Busway at saan-saan ang mga ito?". Facebook. Department of Transportation Philippines. June 20, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  27. Yu, Lance Spencer (November 19, 2022). "New EDSA Ayala bus terminal opens ahead of holiday rush". Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  28. Amojelar, Darwin (November 20, 2022). "DOTr opens One Ayala Terminal in Makati to serve bus passengers". Manila Standard. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  29. San Juan, Alexandria Dennise (November 16, 2020). "DOTr signs EDSA Busway bridge agreement". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  30. Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (May 19, 2021). "Construction of 3 concourse of EDSA Busway starts". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  31. "May plano pa bang magdagdag ng mga istasyon sa EDSA Busway?". Facebook. Department of Transportation Philippines. June 20, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  32. "EDSA busway passengers must pay fares via beep cards starting Oct. 1". CNN Philippines. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  33. Marquez, Consuelo (October 4, 2020). "Mandatory use of beep cards along Edsa busway halted — DOTr". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  34. "Closure of EDSA U-Turn Slots". motoringtoday.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  35. Ong, Ghio. "MMDA reopens EDSA U-turn slot". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  36. Malasig, Jeline (April 13, 2022). "Scenes from the ground: Commuters struggle to go home on last workday of Holy Week". Interaksyon. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  37. Luna, Franco. "Train maintenance, lack of buses bring EDSA to a halt on Holy Week". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  38. Madarang, Catalina (November 18, 2022). "Alarms raised over 'preventable' road crashes along EDSA Busway". InterAksyon. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  39. "LOOK: EDSA concrete barriers replaced with steel bollards". GMA News. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  40. Cabalza, Dexter (July 13, 2020). "MMDA: Gov't men top violators of Edsa busway rule". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  41. Dela Cruz, Raymond Carl (July 20, 2023). "Enforcers apprehend over 150 EDSA Busway violators". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
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