MANILA, Philippines — Ridership on the Edsa Busway hit a record high in October, surpassing any previous month since the system’s 2020 debut in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday, the Edsa Busway ridership peaked at 404,010 last October 24.
“Ridership on the Edsa Busway hit an all-time high in October 2022, peaking at 404,010 on 24 October 2022, and setting a record of 351,531 on average monthly ridership for the first time since the start of its operations in 2020,” the DOTr said in a statement.
Since the Edsa Busway began service on June 1, 2020, it has served 130,238,608 passengers.
Free rides are still available in the Edsa Busway under the Service Contracting Program.
The Edsa Busway was “launched in line with the efforts of the government to contain the transmission of COVID-19 on public transportation.”
It is a “dedicated median bus lane service” under the cooperation of the DOTr, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
On October 13, DOTr chief Secretary Jaime Bautista backed Edsa Busway System privatization as a way to upgrade public transportation at one of Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfares.
—Kristelle Anne Razon, INQUIRER.net trainee
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