The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority inspects the Edsa Busway Carousel – Monumento Station in Quezon City on Friday, September 23. Courtesy of MMDA Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines — The number of buses in the Edsa Carousel has been decreased to 550, back to its regular total number of units before the implementation of the “Libreng Sakay” program, said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday.
According to the LTFRB, temporary buses were added to the busway’s operation during the free ride program because of the holiday rush. The “Libreng Sakay” program ended on December 31, 2022.
READ: ‘Libreng Sakay’ program out, Edsa Busway fares in
“Resolved, the reduction of the number of units serving the busway from seven hundred fifty-eight (758) units to five hundred fifty (550) units starting January 1, 2023,” said the resolution signed by LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III.
However, the LTFRB clarified that it still monitors bus demand in the bus loop.
“Continue ang monitoring ng LTFRB para makita kung yong original na 550 units ba ay tama na or kulang ba talaga para ma address agad,” said the LTFRB in a message to reporters.
(The LTFRB will continue to monitor whether the original 550 will be enough to address it immediately.)
Should there be insufficient buses, the LTFRB said it could add the appropriate number of units to the Edsa Carousel, not just temporary ones.
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