MMDA eyes new Edsa bus stop scheme

MANILA, Philippines—Passenger buses plying Edsa would get to their destinations faster if they were to make fewer stops.

This was the rationale behind a proposal made by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority during a meeting with bus operators Tuesday on ways to ease traffic on the major thoroughfare, one of the busiest in the metropolis.

In particular, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino suggested that public utility buses be assigned their exclusive loading and unloading bays on Edsa.

He explained that under the segregation scheme, all city buses plying Edsa are classified into two: Bus A are those plying the Alabang route while Bus B refers to those plying the Baclaran route.

“[Right now,] both can load and unload passengers [at] all stops in Edsa. We are proposing to designate every other stop for [the use of A only or just B,]” Tolentino said.

Under his proposal for example, only buses belonging to the Bus B group can drop off or pick up passengers at Taft. However, they will not be allowed to stop at loading and unloading bays in the Magallanes area since these will be for the exclusive use of the Bus A group.

“There won’t be a reason for all buses to fight over one bus stop anymore. Plus, it will [reduce] travel time for our commuters,” the MMDA chief said.

Some buses, however, will be designated as “all-stop” PUBs, meaning they can load and unload passengers at all bus stops to accommodate commuters traveling just a short distance.

He added that aside from easing congestion in the yellow lanes on Edsa-the two rightmost lanes set aside for the exclusive use of passenger buses—the MMDA also hopes to reduce the number of accidents.