EDSA Busway station in Ayala Ave, Tramo to open soon 

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has seen the need to increase the passenger capacity of the EDSA Carousel bus network. DOTr Undersecretary Timothy John Batan has revealed that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be opening new EDSA Carousel stations on Ayala Avenue and on Tramo soon.   

We hope these additional buses and bus stops are enough

For now, the agency is yet to share a timeline on these upcoming stations. These though, are in addition to the newly opened median bus stops on Roxas Boulevard and Taft Avenue. The said stations or bus stops were opened at the start of August this year. 

Currently, the EDSA Carousel network has a total of 15 median bus stops, as well as three bus stops positioned on its outer lanes. The current number of stations was seen as insufficient for the increased number of buses servicing the route. Prompting the concerned government agencies to add more EDSA Busway stations.    

Specifically, the number of buses increased from 550 to 650. As such, the number of median stops would need to be increased as well. 

With the new stops, the current long queues experienced by commuters might be lessened with the help of these additional bus units combined with the new stops. These might even help prepare the said route for the expected increase of passengers once the school year opens on August 22.  

Of note, face-to-face classes will also gradually come back by November according to Batan. This of course, might further add to the number of commuters utilizing the EDSA Carousel bus network on the daily. As such, the additional bus units, as well as the new bus stops will be crucial in the coming months.  

Just adding more buses won't work. More bus stops need to be built as well

Besides the additional EDSA Carousel bus units and the new bus stops, the DOTr has also continued the operation of the “Libreng Sakay” (free ride) program for the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) as well as on the EDSA Bus Carousel. 

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has also recently reopened a number of routes that were previously closed at the start of the pandemic. 

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