EDSA bus express system starts on March 16

MANILA, Philippines - The express bus passenger system along EDSA will have its pilot run on March 16, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said yesterday.

A total of 50 buses will be fielded for the system’s use. The express buses will initially run from Fairview in Quezon City to Ayala Avenue in Makati, according to the DOTC.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said that based on studies made by the DOTC and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), a majority of bus commuters from Fairview get off along Ayala Avenue.

A dispatch station will be set up by the MMDA in Fairview for the express buses.

Abaya said the express buses are allowed to pass through the underpasses along EDSA and will keep strict schedules.

The MMDA is looking into the possibility of exempting the express buses from the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or number coding scheme.

Abaya said the pilot run would try to determine the travel time from Fairview to the Makati central business district.

He said the express bus system is different from the Metro Rail Transit  scheme as the buses would not be stopping in between Fairview and Ayala Avenue.

The DOTC chief said at least 10 to 15 bus operators have expressed interest in fielding bus units for the program.

The express buses will be equipped with Wi-Fi for Internet access and global positioning system for tracking.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Winston Ginez said only bus companies with an accident-free record would be allowed to join the express bus system.