LTFRB: Less than 400 buses serve up to 182,000 Edsa Busway commuters daily

FILE PHOTO – Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — Less than 400 buses are currently operating in the Edsa Busway (also known as the Edsa Carousel) which serves up to 182,000 passengers a day, a transportation official revealed Thursday.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra said the agency recorded 182,000 passengers last Monday, June 14, which is an increase from the 41,000 ridership recorded in March.

However, only less than 400 bus units are currently running in the route out of the 550 authorized units. Of this number, 428 were given special operating permits.

“Dumadami talaga ‘yung pasahero. I have to admit that, we have to admit that. Dahil na rin sa libreng sakay. ‘Yun po ang nakita nating isang dahilan kung bakit  humahaba yung pila doon sa mga pasahero along Edsa. We need to address that obviously may problema,” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(The number of passengers is increasing. I have to admit that, we have to admit that. This is because of the free rides. That’s what we’re seeing is the reason behind the long queues of passengers along Edsa. We need to address that, obviously, there is a problem.)

He said the LTFRB is consulting with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) if it can increase the capacity of buses to allow more passengers to board in one ride.

“‘Yung bus unit ng Edsa, sumasakay po ng mga 20 pasahero lamang. If we would be able to increase that a little bit, then mas makakasakay pa ng maraming pasahero,” he said.

(Buses along Edsa can only carry 20 passengers. If we would be able to increase that a little bit, more passengers can ride.)  Faith Yuen Wei Ragasa, Inquirer trainee

/MUF