Free Ride? Carousel Bus Service Changes Explained

The EDSA Carousel, also known as the EDSA Busway, is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Metro Manila, Philippines. It operates on a designated lane, separated from regular traffic by concrete barriers and steel bollards. In 2022, President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. approved free rides on the EDSA Carousel until December of that year. This was to ease the financial burden on Filipinos, especially with the resumption of face-to-face classes after a two-year hiatus. However, as of January 2023, the free ride program ended, and passengers now have to pay fees.

The EDSA Carousel Bus is no longer free as of January 2023

The EDSA Carousel Bus, also known as Route 1, is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Metro Manila, Philippines. It has a dedicated lane, called the EDSA Busway, which is separated from normal road traffic by concrete barriers and steel bollards.

The EDSA Carousel Bus was free of charge for a period of time. In July 2022, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. approved the extension of the free bus rides until December 2022. This was to ease the burden on rising living expenses and to help Filipinos save money, especially with the return to in-person classes. However, as of January 2023, the EDSA Carousel's Libreng Sakay (free ride) program has ended. All riders must now pay a fee to use the bus service. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has released a complete fare matrix for both northbound and southbound travels. The southbound bus route (Monumento to PITX) has 23 stops and prices range from PHP 15.00 to PHP 75.50. The northbound route has 19 stops, with the cheapest fee also at PHP 15.00 and the most expensive trip (from PITX to Monumento) costing PHP 73.00. Students still qualify for a fare discount of at least 20% of the approved adjusted fare.

The EDSA Carousel Bus is the most efficient, affordable, comfortable, and safe bus service in Metro Manila. It is supervised by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The line is run by the Mega Manila Consortium Corporation and ES Transport and Partners Consortium. Since its opening in June 2020, the EDSA Carousel Bus has served over 130 million commuters. The line's highest record of daily ridership was 404,010 passengers on October 24, 2022. The bus service has 23 bus stops, 87 operators, and 751 authorized buses serving the entire route as of July 2024.

The EDSA Carousel is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Metro Manila, Philippines

The EDSA Carousel, also known as Route 1 and formerly designated as Route E, is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Metro Manila, Philippines. It is a part of several bus routes in Metro Manila and is situated along EDSA (C-4 Road) and other roads. The EDSA Carousel runs on a dedicated right-of-way called the EDSA Busway, which is a designated lane for buses separated from normal road traffic by concrete barriers and steel bollards on the innermost lane.

The EDSA Carousel was introduced to address traffic congestion in the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) area, which has long been a concern in Metro Manila. In 2007, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) ordered buses to stay on the two right-most lanes of the road, and plastic barriers were added in 2016. A proposal for a BRT system using funds from the World Bank was approved in 2017, with EDSA intended to be the second phase of implementation. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting community quarantine in Metro Manila further accelerated the development of the EDSA Busway, as it provided an opportunity to construct the dedicated bus lane.

The EDSA Carousel began its interim operations on June 1, 2020, replacing the previous bus routes along EDSA and serving as an augmentation service to the MRT Line 3 due to limited capacity restrictions. Full operations commenced on July 1, 2020, with 15 bus stops initially in place. As of July 16, 2024, there are 23 operational bus stops, with more stops planned or under construction. The entire route is serviced by 751 approved buses and 87 operators.

The EDSA Carousel is operated by the Mega Manila Consortium Corporation and ES Transport and Partners Consortium under the supervision of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the MMDA. It is known for being the most efficient, affordable, comfortable, and safe bus service in Metro Manila.

In response to rising inflation and global market fluctuations, free rides for the EDSA Carousel were offered during the remaining months of former President Rodrigo Duterte's term. This initiative was extended by President Bongbong Marcos until the end of 2022, despite budgetary concerns. However, the free rides created challenges with ridership capacity and the availability of buses during rush hours. As of January 2023, the Libreng Sakay (free ride) program ended, and riders must now pay fees. The resumption of the free ride program has not yet been determined.

The EDSA Carousel has 23 bus stops, 751 approved buses, and 87 operators

The EDSA Carousel, also known as the EDSA Busway, is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Metro Manila, Philippines. It is a highly efficient, affordable, comfortable, and safe bus service. The EDSA Carousel has 23 bus stops, 751 approved buses, and 87 operators.

The EDSA Carousel was launched in 2020, replacing the former bus routes along EDSA. It operates on a designated lane, separated from regular traffic by concrete barriers and steel bollards. The line is run by the Mega Manila Consortium Corporation and ES Transport and Partners Consortium, under the supervision of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The EDSA Carousel initially had 15 bus stops, with more added over time. As of July 2024, there are 23 operational bus stops, with plans to add more in the future. The entire route is serviced by 751 approved buses and 87 operators.

The EDSA Carousel offered free rides to commuters during its early months and under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos, these free rides were extended until the end of 2022. However, the free rides created challenges with ridership capacity and the availability of buses during rush hours. Since January 2023, the Libreng Sakay (free ride) program ended, and all riders must now pay fees.

The EDSA Carousel is supervised by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

The EDSA Carousel, also known as EDSA Busway, is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Metro Manila, Philippines. It has a dedicated lane called the EDSA Busway, which is separated from normal road traffic by concrete barriers and steel bollards. The EDSA Carousel is supervised by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and is operated by the Mega Manila Consortium Corporation and ES Transport and Partners Consortium.

The EDSA Carousel was introduced in 2020 to replace the former bus routes along EDSA due to limited capacity constraints imposed by the general community quarantine in Metro Manila as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It started its interim operations on June 1, 2020, and full operations began on July 1, 2020. The line has been well-utilised since its opening, with a total ridership of over 130 million commuters as of November 2022.

The EDSA Carousel has been offering free rides to the public, which was initially promised for the remaining months of former President Rodrigo Duterte's term in response to rising inflation and global market fluctuations. This free ride program, called "Libreng Sakay," was extended under President Bongbong Marcos' administration until the end of 2022, despite budgetary concerns. However, the free rides also created issues with ridership capacity and the availability of buses during rush hours.

As of January 2023, the Libreng Sakay program has ended, and all riders must now pay fees. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has released fare matrices for both northbound and southbound travels, with fares calculated based on distance travelled. Students still qualify for a fare discount of at least 20% on approved adjusted fares.

The EDSA Carousel is an essential part of the public transportation system in Metro Manila, and the supervising authorities, DOTr and MMDA, play a crucial role in its operations and management.

The EDSA Carousel is intended to alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila

The Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Carousel is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Metro Manila, Philippines. It is intended to alleviate traffic congestion in the metropolis, which is the country's capital city. EDSA is the longest and most congested highway in Metro Manila, stretching 23.8 kilometres (14.8 miles) and accommodating an average of 385,096 vehicles daily.

The EDSA Carousel is a dedicated bus lane that runs alongside EDSA and other roads, separated from regular traffic by concrete barriers and steel bollards. It connects to several bus routes in Metro Manila and is operated by the Mega Manila Consortium Corporation and ES Transport and Partners Consortium under the supervision of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The EDSA Carousel was established in response to the limited capacity constraints imposed by the general community quarantine in Metro Manila due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interim operations began on June 1, 2020, replacing the previous bus routes along EDSA. Full operations commenced on July 1, 2020.

The implementation of the EDSA Carousel is part of a broader decongestion program under the Build! Build! Build! Infrastructure Program, which aims to reduce travel time from Cubao to Makati to 5-6 minutes. The government plans to "expand and extend" routes for the EDSA Carousel to further alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

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