“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” is a quote attributed to Albert Einstein but there is no conclusive proof he said it. Anyway, it doesn’t take a genius to realize the truth of that quote. Unfortunately, our public officials are insane for refusing to see the stupidity of doing something over and over again even after we have seen that it didn’t work before and will not work ever again.
Last week, the MMDA chairman announced that they were thinking of scrapping the EDSA Busway Carousel. Removing the busway means going back to the bad old days. That’s stupid. We have been there and it didn’t work. One more lane will not improve traffic flow on EDSA. It is insane and stupid to do that again. At least now, the working class is able to get to their workplaces and to schools on time. The rich car owners can ditch their cars and ride buses too if they are in a hurry.
Reacting to the MMDA announcement, DOTr immediately issued a statement saying they see no valid reason for removing the EDSA Busway. A DOTr official said they believe the EDSA Busway continues to be one of the most efficient public transport systems in Metro Manila.
That’s two government agencies announcing two contradictory plans. It paints a picture of confusion among BBM’s officials which is probably why they can’t get things done.
Justifying the busway, DOTr pointed out that “in 2024, over 63 million commuters enjoyed an efficient travel experience along the EDSA Busway, with 5.5 million last January, averaging 177,000 daily commuters who reached their destinations conveniently, safely and quickly.”
“Thanks to the 23 stations operating 24/7, the EDSA Busway continues to be a “crucial step toward a progressive public transportation system,” the DOTr statement said.
I sent a Viber message to DOTr Secretary Jimmy Bautista and he replied that “the plan is to expand the EDSA Busway not only as a carousel but allow point-to-point buses from various destinations. For example, we allow point-to-point buses from Cubao to the airport, Fairview to Ayala, Marikina to Ayala. We are finalizing the terms of reference for the privatization of the operations and maintenance of this busway. We are expecting to award it by the second quarter of 2026.”
There you go. Public transportation is Sec. Jimmy’s responsibility, and MMDA is only a supporting cast and should work to support him rather than publicly undermine a cabinet official, who is an alter ego of the President.
I suspect MMDA made that unfortunate public outburst because it is constantly being harassed by politicians caught illegally using the busway. It is probable that there are more of those big shots being apprehended at the busway than we are being publicly told. So, the simple solution of MMDA is to remove the busway and remove a daily headache.
The MMDA claims that the EDSA carousel’s route overlaps with that of the MRT-3. But that’s absolutely not true. MRT-3 runs from North Avenue Station in Quezon City all the way down to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City. It has a total of 13 stations.
The EDSA bus carousel stretches from Monumento in Caloocan City to the PITX Terminal in Parañaque City with a total of 23 bus stops. That’s not an overlap.
The EDSA Bus Carousel also provides transportation for late-night or early morning commuters because it operates 24/7. Like New York, Metro Manila never sleeps. We have workers in the night shifts, particularly in the BPOs. They need safe and reliable transportation. Removing the busway inconveniences our BPO workers who earn the foreign exchange our economy needs.
In contrast, the MRT-3 operates only during specific hours: from North Avenue Station, the first train departs at 4:30 a.m. and the last one at 9:30 p.m. from Taft Avenue Station, the first train departs at 5:05 a.m. and the last one at 10:09 p.m.
The MMDA chairman is a car-centric elitist. BBM should replace him with someone with the heart to look after what is good for the masa whose daily commutes depend on the busway. The bus carousel service has given ordinary commuters extra hours more to be with their families rather than being stuck in EDSA traffic.
What MMDA should be working on is clearing the alternative routes for cars. It was possible some years ago to use the side streets to avoid EDSA traffic. Not anymore. Thanks to Waze, are now just as congested.
Besides, the busway is a good test of character for our politicians who feel overly entitled to special treatment. Actually, they should just take a bus if they are in such a hurry. That will also get them more in touch with the public that they are supposed to serve.
The MRT-3 operated beyond the limit of its current design at 375,000 passengers last year. It is only designed for 350,000 passengers. When it drastically went beyond this limit by carrying 450,000 passengers, maintenance problems developed. It also doesn’t have enough train cars after the Chinese Dalian cars were rejected for being out of specifications, too heavy for the rail tracks. So, they are using the 25-year-old original cars that require more maintenance.
The contract with the Sobrepeña consortium is expiring this July, along with the Sumitomo maintenance contract. DOTr rejected the unsolicited proposal of Metro Pacific and Sumitomo so it is headed to a period when MRT-3 will be in limbo like during the time of Mar Roxas as DOTr Secretary when maintenance went haywire. Given all these, MMDA is foolish to think MRT-3 can expand capacity soon to take in the 177,000+ passengers of the EDSA Busway.
BBM should remind his officials to work with each other and not indulge in a pissing contest. And for public transport, DOTr should be the final word, not MMDA.
Boo Chanco’s email address is bchanco@gmail.com. Follow him on X @boochanco