Bus Riders, You'll Get More Footbridges and Pedestrian Lanes Along EDSA

A dedicated lane for buses will soon be a permanent part of EDSA, and the government is looking to construct footbridges or pedestrian lanes for passengers that will get off on the innermost lanes of EDSA, a senior consultant of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on June 3.

"'Yan na 'yan. Massive din ang investment ng gobyerno d'yan. Nagle-lay down na tayo ng barrier. Permanente na 'yung structure na 'yan. Noon pa dapat ginawa 'yan," DOTr Assistant Secretary Alberto Suansing said in a Teleradyo interview.

Buses will occupy EDSA’s innermost lane instead of the one closest to the sidewalk. This is to prevent buses from blocking vehicles turning right.

"Pag nandoon sa kanan 'yung bus naaantala ang kanilang biyahe dahil may mga sasakyan na pa-kanan," he added. 

Around 90 buses passed through EDSA on June 1 during the first day of general community quarantine (GCQ) to augment the metro's train systems along with taxis, ride-hailing cars, and shuttle services.

This is part of phase 1 of DOTr’s new transport plan for GCQ.

Apart from the new pedestrian lanes and footbridges, DOTr is working with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to add more bus routes to EDSA in order to ferry more commuters during GCQ. Ultimately, the LTFRB will decide which buses will be granted a permit to pass through the country’s main throughway. 

The second phase of DOTr’s transport plan, which will take place from June 22 to 30, will allow public utility buses, modern jeepneys, and UV Express vans to resume operations.

According to Suansing, the LTFRB will also determine Metro Manila routes jeepneys can take.

The LTFRB’s findings will be released later today.