(Photo courtesy of DOTr)
QUEZON CITY – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has given EDSA Busway operators six months to equip their buses with functional left-side doors to improve passenger safety and accessibility.
Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez announced the deadline following an inspection of the newly rehabilitated Monumento Station, emphasizing that no further extensions would be granted.
The directive supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push to provide safer and more convenient public transportation.
Lopez said bus operators and consortiums must comply with the requirement within six months or face penalties.
“Hindi na po tayo magbibigay ng palugit d’yan at saka extension. Matagal na po tayo nagbigay ng moratorium d’yan,” Lopez said.
According to the DOTr, only 181 of the more than 500 buses currently operating along the EDSA Busway have left-side doors.
The requirement allows passengers to board and alight directly onto station platforms, eliminating the need to walk around buses, which poses safety risks even with protective barriers.
Lopez stressed that the measure is essential to preventing accidents and ensuring smoother passenger movement at busway stations.
“Ang importante po kasi dun para sa kaligtasan po ng ating mga mananakay,” he said.
The transportation chief warned that operators failing to meet the deadline could face fines, suspension, or permanent disqualification from operating along the EDSA Busway.
He also directed Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Acting Chair Greg Pua and concerned transportation officials to enforce the policy.
The DOTr maintained that the six-month compliance period would be final as part of its efforts to strengthen safety standards and improve the commuting experience along EDSA.
