The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is determined to deliver on its promise of opening new EDSA Busway stations. The agency said last August 2022 that the EDSA Busway will have new stations in Ayala in Makati City, and in Tramo in Pasay City.
After opening the EDSA Busway Ayala station, the DOTr announced that the Tramo station is now operational. DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista led the opening ceremony for the EDSA Busway Tramo station. Bautista said that the new station is expected to give commuters a shorter walking distance to catch a bus ride.
"Ito pong bus stop na ito ay magbibigay ng convenience sa ating mga mananakay para ‘yung mga bumababa at sumasakay sa lugar na ito ay hindi na masyadong lalakad ng malayo," Bautista said.
(This bus stop will provide convenience to our passengers so that those who get off and board at this place will not have to walk too far.)
The DOTr chief also showed his appreciation to the supporters of the EDSA Busway Carousel project. Bautista thanked the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), InterAgency Council for traffic (i-ACT), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
"The MMDA assured our full support. Rest assured that we remain a strong and dynamic partners to serve our people better especially the commuting public. We pledge to extend our time, effort and resources for the better service to our people today and tomorrow," MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana said.
Bautista also lauded bus operators for giving commuters a “convenient, affordable, accessible, and safe travel experience.”
The Tramo station in Pasay City is the fourth EDSA Busway station to open since July 2022, which includes stations at Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue, and Ayala.
Bautista added that the DOTr will continue improving the EDSA Busway operations to better serve the riding public as well as to conform to international standards.
“The DOTr will continue to improve the services and infrastructure of the EDSA Busway. The EDSA Busway must conform to international standards. There’s a lot to do here,” Bautista noted.
The EDSA Busway Carousel currently has 17 median stations, four temporary curbside stations, and an Integrated Terminal Exchange (ITX). As of December 2022, the bus system has been catering to over 380,000 passengers daily.
But, DOTr Secretary Bautista said that starting at 5 a.m. on January 1, 2023, the EDSA Busway Carousel will no longer be for free. This means that commuters will be starting to pay a fare when using the EDSA Busway Carousel system.
Reports state that the trip from Monumento to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) is around Php 70 to Php 76.
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