The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that it will be allowing provincial buses to use EDSA, from December 24, 2022, to January 2, 2023.
Provincial buses from North and South Luzon will be temporarily allowed to use EDSA to reach their respective terminals
In a post on its Facebook page, the agency said the move will enable the buses to accommodate the expected exodus of passengers who will be going home to the provinces for the holidays. It adds that this will also ensure the convenience and comfort of commuters.
Under the policy, provincial buses coming from North Luzon will be allowed to use the bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City, as their final stop. Meanwhile, provincial buses from South Luzon can terminate their trips at the bus terminals located in Pasay City.
While this means that travelers can avail of more buses in heading to and from the provinces this holiday season, it could also potentially add to the already heavy traffic volume on the country’s busiest thoroughfare.
This aims to allow passengers to board more buses bound to and from the provinces
The MMDA has observed an average of 417,000 vehicles have been using EDSA every day since November 24, 2022, exceeding pre-pandemic levels of 405,000 vehicles daily. It earlier warned motorists that the Christmas rush is expected to increase regular traffic volume between 10 and 20 percent.
According to MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes, average speed for vehicles along EDSA has marginally improved to 16 kilometers per hour, up from 11 kilometers per hour before the pandemic.
The MMDA has warned that traffic volume will get heavier during the holidays
In 2019, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered a ban on provincial buses along EDSA as part of efforts to help decongest traffic. This followed a resolution issued by the Metro Manila Council that prohibited and revoked the business permits of all public utility bus terminals on the thoroughfare’s 23.8- kilometer stretch.
The MMDA eventually implemented window hours for provincial buses in March 2022, allowing them to use their private terminals in Metro Manila from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
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