In anticipation of the increased passenger volume this holiday season, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced a temporary traffic adjustment allowing provincial buses to traverse EDSA from December 20 to January 5.
This move aims to enhance turnaround times and accommodate more commuters traveling during the festive period.
MMDA Chair Don Artes detailed the specific guidelines for the temporary measure:
- December 20 to 25: Provincial buses can ply EDSA from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
- December 26 to January 2: Provincial buses can access EDSA 24 hours daily.
The initiative is expected to benefit more than 2,100 provincial buses, providing passengers faster and more convenient travel options.
Designated terminals for provincial buses
To streamline operations and manage traffic flow, specific terminal assignments have been designated:
- Buses from northern provinces will terminate their trips at Cubao, Quezon City.
- Buses from southern provinces will end their routes at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) or Pasay City.
There are 45 provincial bus terminals along EDSA, with 27 on the northbound side and 18 on the southbound side.
Traffic challenges
Traffic congestion along EDSA is already a growing concern, with daily vehicle volume reaching 464,000, far exceeding the road’s capacity of 300,000 vehicles. This number is expected to surge to 470,000 and 480,000 during the peak holiday period in mid-December, surpassing the prepandemic high of 405,000 cars.
As a result, average travel speeds on EDSA have already slowed to 18 km/h from the usual 21 km/h and could further decline to 15 km/h as Christmas approaches.
Despite the anticipated traffic slowdown, Artes emphasized facilitating smoother travel for passengers.
“While we expect an increase in vehicular volume this Christmas season, we want our bus operators to serve more passengers, ensuring convenience and faster travel to their destinations,” Artes stated.
He assured commuters that the temporary adjustment would not disrupt the operations of the EDSA Bus Carousel, which remains unaffected by this holiday scheme.
The MMDA’s temporary adjustment seeks to address the growing transportation needs of Metro Manila’s residents and visitors during the busiest time of the year. With careful coordination and planning, the initiative aims to balance the holiday rush with the convenience of public transportation for thousands of passengers.