The EDSA Carousel, also known as Route 1 and formerly and still referred to as Route E, is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, part of several bus routes in Metro Manila.[2] It is situated along EDSA (C-4 Road) and other roads, running on a dedicated right-of-way called the EDSA Busway, separated from normal road traffic in most of its stretch by concrete barriers and steel bollards on the innermost lane.[3]
Interim operations began on June 1, 2020, serving as a replacement of the former bus routes along EDSA, acting as an augmentation service to the MRT Line 3 due to the limited capacity restrictions put in place by the general community quarantine in Metro Manila as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.[4] Full operations began later on July 1, 2020. Intended to be largely served by bus stops along the median, some stops are temporarily served by bus stops on the curbside.[3][5][6]
An EDSA Carousel bus near Mega Q-Mart bus stop, which was still under construction at that time.
Background
Epifanio de los Santos Avenue is the main thoroughfare of Metro Manila.[8] Traffic congestion has always been a concern in the area and since 2007, the MMDA ordered buses to stay on the two right-most lanes of the road.[9] Plastic barriers were later added in 2016.[10]
A proposal for a bus rapid transit (BRT) system using funds from the World Bank was approved in 2017.[11] EDSA was intended to be the second phase of the implementation of the bus rapid transit system, following Quezon Avenue.[12] Line 2, known as the Central Corridor, will be eventually realized as the EDSA Carousel.
Traffic in the EDSA Busway is restricted to authorized city buses, as well as emergency vehicles such as ambulances, firetrucks, and responders to emergencies and vehicles and convoys that have been coordinated beforehand.[13] Enforcement of the Busway is provided by MMDA Regulation No. 20-002, which was signed on July 28, 2020. Public and private motor vehicle drivers that violate the regulation are fined ₱1,000 for each offense.[14]
The EDSA Carousel line is distinct from the World Bank-funded BRT project.[15]
Opening
On July 1, 2020, the EDSA Carousel line, also designated as Route E, started its interim operations with a total of fifteen stops in a dedicated bus lane completed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.[16][17]
Proposed privatization and resumption of free rides
Due to the increasing amount of passengers as restrictions are slowly being relaxed, volumes of passengers began to increase as well. In the wake of increasing inflation and world market movements affecting currency values, free rides for the EDSA Carousel was announced for the remaining months of then-President Rodrigo Duterte's term. Upon Bongbong Marcos's assumption of the presidency, free rides were extended until the end of 2022, in spite of budgetary concerns.[18][19] However, the free rides introduced problems of ridership capacity and the amount of buses available to serve passengers during rush hours.
Proposals to privatize the operations of the EDSA Carousel to further improve its services were explored. Transportation SecretaryJaime Bautista is open to such proposals, adding these must be "explored expeditiously."[20]
Ridership
Since the line's opening in June 2020, the total ridership of the line was 130,238,608 commuters within June 2020 to November 2022. From June to December 2020, total ridership has reached a daily average 41,000 to 60,000 passengers,[21] and continued to rise throughout 2021, wherein the daily average of commuters using the line is 129,000 passengers,[22] with its highest record reaching 160,000 passengers in June 2021.[23] Total ridership in 2021 reached 47,104,197.[22]
In 2022, the line's highest record reached a total of 404,010 passengers on October 24, 2022, while the average daily ridership through the year is 389,579 passengers. Total ridership also increased to a new record high, as the line served 80,832,186 passengers.[1][24]
Stops
The line initially had 15 bus stops on its interim launch,[16] with additional stops added in the following months.[25][26] As of July 16, 2024[update], 23 bus stops are currently operational.[27] There are 87 operators and 751 authorized buses that serve the entire route.[1]
Selected stops of the Busway also runs parallel to the MRT Line 3 and the northern section of the LRT Line 1. Plans are also underway to expand the Busway system by improving the accessibility and connectivity on various bus stops to nearby transport networks.
The line utilizes existing pedestrian footbridges along EDSA by constructing additional stairways to the center island of EDSA. It also uses some stations of the MRT Line 3 and LRT Line 1 by making use of the train stations' emergency exit stairways.[25] Some bus stops, such as the ones at Ayala (northbound), SM Mall of Asia, and Macapagal Boulevard, still use the existing stops on the curbside, while the southbound Ayala bus stop is located inside One Ayala.[29][30] Unlike those along EDSA, stops along Macapagal Boulevard are unmarked.
Future
On November 16, 2020, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed an agreement with SM Prime Holdings, DM Wenceslao and Associates Inc., and Double Dragon Properties Corp. for the construction of EDSA busway bridges. The bridges will be shouldered by the three companies, seeking to provide safer, convenient, and PWD-friendly walkways for the riding public using the EDSA Carousel stops, and for pedestrians crossing EDSA.[31] The pedestrian bridges were conceptualized with concourses, concierge, ticketing booths, and turnstiles for the automated fare collection system. Ramps and elevators would also be available to provide accessibility for PWDs, senior citizens, and pregnant passengers. The structures will be strategically located at the SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, Macapagal Boulevard in Aseana City and the corner of EDSA and Macapagal Boulevard.[31][32] The groundbreaking ceremony for the EDSA Busway Concourse Project was held on May 18, 2021. It was expected to be completed in March 2022,[32] but no updates have been announced since then.
On June 20, 2022, the Department of Transportation announced an additional 11 more stops would be added to the EDSA Carousel, which would bring the total number of stops to 29.[33] The Tramo, Taft Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, Kamuning and Philam (Ormoc) stops have since been completed.[34]
The proposed Cubao, Connecticut, Greenfields, and Estrella stops still remain under consideration, as the location, funding, and feasibility studies are yet to be determined and conducted.[35]
Stops, stations and transit systems in italics are either under construction or proposed.
EDSA busway concourses
In 2024, SM Prime and Transportation SecretaryJaime Bautista inaugurated the first busway concourse of the Busway route, located along SM North EDSA. The upcoming concourse is the first among three EDSA Carousel Concourse project, which was once part of the Build! Build! Build! project.[36] Other busway concourses being planned are located along the Ortigas Bus Stop, located across SM Megamall, the Roxas Boulevard Bus Stop, which is located across the DoubleDragon Plaza, and the Macapagal – Bradco Avenue, in collaboration with DM Wenceslao.[36] Each concourse will feature a concierge, ticketing booths and turnstiles for the automatic fare collection system.[37]
Controversies
Wheelchair ramp at Philam QC bus stop, which became viral in July 2024 due to its steepness
On October 1, 2020, the "No Beep card, No entry" policy was implemented to minimize physical contact between commuters and public transport personnel to reduce their risk of getting COVID-19 and to allow for more seamless and faster transactions to trim down the queuing of passengers. The new policy has drawn flak from commuters due to the current price of the card and its immediate implementation.[38] Within the first week of its implementation, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) suspended the mandatory use of Beep cards after AF Payments Incorporated refused the government's request to waive the ₱80.00 cost of Beep cards.[39]
When the bus stops from Monumento to North Avenue were opened, the U-turn slots were closed, causing heavy traffic at the said portion.[40] U-turn slots were reopened after few months to ease traffic flow.[41] In November 2021, traffic lights were installed at the U-turn slots to address concerns both of the bus accessibility and the traffic congestion it causes.
On April 13, 2022, the EDSA Carousel failed to keep up with the influx of demand as a result of the LRT-2 and MRT-3 being closed for annual Holy Week maintenance from April 13 to 17.[42] As a result, many commuters were stranded as queues overflowed onto roads, with some waiting past midnight or opting to walk home.[42] The shortage of buses was attributed to slow service contracting subsidies and high gasoline prices.[43] Skip buses were deployed, and some motorists offered rides to stranded commuters. However, intensified anti-colorum operations hindered rescue attempts. The next day, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade issued a formal apology and promised to prevent such incidents in the future.[43]
The MMDA reported that newly installed glass elevators at the Balintawak and Guadalupe stops were found shattered by stone-throwers during their installation between April to June 2024. The elevator at Bagong Barrio was also found with its wiring pulled out. In response, the MMDA appealed to the public not to destroy the elevators and stated that the destroyed equipment was replaced by the contractor free of charge.[44][45]
On July 16, 2024, a photo of a steep ramp at the new Philam QC bus stop went viral for being unfriendly for people with disabilities (PWDs). The next day, GMA Integrated News reported that the ramp was 10 degrees steeper than the standard stipulated by the Accessibility Law (Batas Pambansa Blg. 344). A wheelchair user also found the ramp "too steep to use going up and too dangerous to use going down." The MMDA explained that the design was constrained by a height restriction under the MRT Line 3 and admitted it was "not perfect." They will assign personnel to assist PWDs using the ramp.[46] On July 20, they announced the ramp's temporary closure for "improvements."[47]
Incidents and accidents
Road crashes
In a span of two years since the implementation of the EDSA Busway and the start of EDSA Carousel operations, multiple road crashes have been recorded within and outside of the EDSA Busway.[48]
Multiple instances of motor vehicles crashing into the concrete barriers of the EDSA Busway were recorded since the EDSA Carousel's operations started. According to MMDA traffic czar Edison Nebrija, most of the drivers who crashed their vehicles against the barriers were speeding, drunk, or asleep behind the wheel. Some of the concrete barriers have already been replaced with steel bollards following a series of accidents.[49]
Several road-related deaths and injuries have also been reported on the EDSA Busway itself due to collisions between buses and other legal and illegal vehicles, as well as jaywalking incidents.[48]
In light of this, the Move As One Coalition, a non-government transport advocacy organization, urged the government to implement at-grade crosswalks and speed limits, widen the EDSA Busway lanes, use safer barriers and BRT-compatible buses, and conduct proper training for bus drivers.[48]
Trespassing of unauthorized vehicles
EDSA Busway violators being apprehended by InterAgency Council on Traffic (IACT) enforcers in Pasay.
Multiple incidents of private and non-emergency government motor vehicles illegally using the EDSA Busway have been recorded, causing disruptions to EDSA Carousel operations.
Barring exceptional emergency situations, trespassing by unauthorized vehicles is strictly prohibited. Violators will face apprehension, ticketing, and possible revocation of their driver's license, even if they belong to a government agency. Vehicles considered authorized to be in the EDSA Busway Carousel include EDSA Carousel buses (and other buses that are allowed by the DOTr to be in the bus lane), ambulances carrying patients (but not ambulances driving to the scene of an emergency, or returning to base), vehicles of the Philippine National Police, fire trucks, vehicles essential for maintaining the EDSA Busway Corousel Lane Project, such as security vehicles, janitorial and sanitation vehicles, maintenance vehicles, etc. and essential on-duty government vehicles and convoys, including those from the MMDA and of the top five government officials (i.e., President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice), that have been coordinated beforehand.[50]
During the first month of operations in 2020, the MMDA reported that over 900 violators were apprehended and ticketed, with half of them being government personnel. [51]
On July 20, 2023, photos of a sting operation conducted by the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic enforcers went viral online as over 150 motorists were apprehended and ticketed for illegally using the EDSA Busway in Pasay. The DOTr and MMDA issued a reminder to motorists to respect the exclusivity of the EDSA Busway.[52]
According to the MMDA, some motorists were taking advantage of the ₱1,000 fine for trespassing on the busway by offenders who could afford regularly paying it. As a result, the MMDA issued MMDA Regulation 23-002, increasing fines for both public and private vehicles.[53]
Current fines
As of November 13, 2023, the fines for illegally trespassing the EDSA Busway are as follows: [54]
First offense - ₱5,000
Second offense - ₱10,000 with a one-month suspension of driver’s license and mandatory road safety seminar
Third offense - ₱20,000 with a one-year suspension of driver’s license
Fourth offense - ₱30,000 with a recommendation to the Land Transportation Office for the revocation of driver’s license
The new fines came into effect through the passing of Metro Manila Council Resolution 23-002. Any driver who attempts to flee from officers automatically incurs a third offense.[53]
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