Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 23) — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will increase the number of EDSA Carousel buses to help ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
“We have already met with the consortium that operate the EDSA Carousel and we will add another 50, so make it around 500 or more buses,” said DOTr Sec. Jaime Bautista during a press conference by economic managers in New York City on late Thursday (Manila time).
Bautista said this will encourage more individuals to take public transportation.
Apart from the EDSA Bus Carousel, the transport chief urged the public to ride the Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit trains and help trim the number of private cars passing through the major thoroughfare.
“We have also set up bike lanes in different areas in Metro Manila, so that those who would like to travel by bicycle, they can do so and reduce the number again of private vehicles,” Bautista said.
Motorists have dealt with even heavier traffic with the return of face-to-face classes after two years of virtual learning.
In August, the Department of Budget and Management released over ₱1 billion to fund free rides along the busway until the year’s end.
