Business Group Urges DOTr to Keep Busway Exclusive to Public Buses

MANILA — The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has voiced strong opposition to the Department of Transportation's plan to temporarily permit private cars on the Edsa Busway, contending that opening the dedicated lane to private vehicles contradicts the project's fundamental design principles.

According to MAP, the Busway was engineered specifically as a dedicated roadway for regulated buses with high-volume passenger capacity. The business organization emphasized that these design imperatives should remain central to the project's operations and effectiveness.

The temporary allowance of private vehicles on the busway has become a contentious issue, with MAP warning that such measures could compromise the system's ability to provide reliable, efficient public transportation. The group's position reflects broader concerns among transportation advocates about protecting dedicated bus lanes from encroachment by personal vehicles.

The DOTr has not yet responded publicly to MAP's latest appeal. The busway, which operates along the busy Edsa corridor in Metro Manila, remains a key component of the government's efforts to improve public transit and reduce traffic congestion in the capital region.