Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 4) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday said it is monitoring the situation at the EDSA Carousel to know if there is a need to increase the number of buses deployed after it was reverted to 550 following the termination of the Libreng Sakay program.
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“Since yesterday, the LTFRB and other government agencies are monitoring the EDSA Busway after the Libreng Sakay, so if the need to increase the number of buses in EDSA Busway, the board will definitely act on it,” LTFRB Technical Division Head Joel Bolano told CNN Philippines’ New Day.
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In a board resolution dated Dec. 27, 2022, the LTFRB ordered the reduction of buses deployed at the busway from 758 to 550 starting Jan. 1 due to lack of funding and termination of the Libreng Sakay program.
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It also said the EDSA Carousel will be operated by the existing consortia. At least 280 buses are allocated for Metro Mega Consortium Transportation Corporation— formerly ES Transport and Partners Consortium—and 270 units for Mega Manila Consortium Corp.
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Sen. Sonny Angara earlier said the Libreng Sakay program will continue in 2023 after ₱2.16 billion was allocated for the PUV Service Contracting Program through the initiative of Congress.
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It includes the ₱1.285 billion in programmed appropriations and another ₱875 million lodged under the unprogrammed appropriations, he also said.
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The government also plans the privatization of the EDSA Bus Carousel this year, but Bolano said the LTFBR has yet to discuss the matter.
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Bolano also said the LTFRB is looking into adding more routes for city buses connecting business districts.
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“The board is still on the process of evaluating some other proposed routes for the city to again augment and to supply the increase in the ridership considering that we are now in the new normal,” he explained.
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