Carpooling eyed on EDSA busway

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January 29, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  To help reduce traffic volume along the busiest thoroughfare in the metropolis, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is looking at the possibility of allowing high-occupancy vehicles with at least 10 passengers to use the EDSA busway.

MMDA general manager Nicolas Torre III said the proposal is still under study, adding that it is among the options being considered to promote carpooling.

“One of the things we are thinking of doing – but this is not yet approved – is putting on the drawing table the idea of allowing high-occupancy vehicles with 10 or more people to use the busway or special lanes,” Torre said in an interview on One News’ “Storycon” on Tuesday. 

“This could be one way to encourage our countrymen to carpool,” Torre added.

The EDSA busway, also known as the Carousel, was launched in July 2020 as a dedicated median lane for buses to provide faster and safer public transport. 

Unauthorized use of the busway carries a P5,000 fine for a first offense, to a recommended license revocation for repeat violators, enforced through both on-ground and the no-contact apprehension policy.

Torre pointed out that EDSA remains heavily congested, as data showed that the highway’s capacity of about 300,000 vehicles is being exceeded, with roughly 460,000 cars daily.

He said carpooling and transport network vehicle services could help reduce the number of private vehicles on the road.