DPWH maintains Edsa busway exclusivity despite temporary vehicle access scheme

MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reiterated its commitment to preserving the Edsa busway as an exclusive corridor for public transportation on Tuesday, despite implementing a temporary pilot program allowing private vehicles limited access to specific sections.

The clarification came as the agency moves forward with a trial scheme that permits private cars to use designated lanes along a stretch of the busway connecting Quezon City and Mandaluyong City. Officials emphasized that this localized arrangement does not signal a broader policy shift toward opening the facility to general traffic.

The DPWH noted that private vehicles will only be permitted during the temporary trial period and within the designated section, pending evaluation of the scheme's impact on traffic flow and public transportation efficiency. The agency has not disclosed specific details regarding the duration of the pilot program or the exact lane allocations affected.

The Edsa busway, a critical infrastructure project designed to expedite public transport, has been a fixture of Manila's traffic management strategy. The temporary arrangement reflects ongoing efforts by transportation authorities to balance competing demands on the metropolitan area's congested road network while maintaining the priority corridors established for buses.