The controversies of the EDSA bus lane's impending closure for rehabilitation landed like a brick on the already burdened shoulders of Metro Manila commuters. It's not that we don't understand the need for repairs; EDSA's crumbling infrastructure is a daily testament to neglect.
Last month the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced its sudden rehabilitation of the bus lane by the end of March 2025, causing a closure of bus lanes one at a time and making buses share a portion of the lane with other vehicles on EDSA that will absolutely cause heavy and chaotic traffic in Metro Manila.
Closing the bus lane is going to be a disaster. The already congested general traffic lanes will become a parking lot, extending commute times to unbearable hours. The chosen method of rehabilitation is a blanket closure of the bus lane, which is obviously a decision made from the comfort of a private vehicle, far from the reality of public transport.
The proposed "shared lanes" are a frail band-aid on a gaping wound, likely to create more problems than solutions. We've seen this movie before—somewhat passable plans that crumble under the weight of Metro Manila's unforgiving traffic.
And the cost? Billions of pesos for a project that feels like a short-term fix. Where's the long-term vision? Where's the investment in expanding our underwhelming and inadequate MRT/LRT systems? Is this rehabilitation truly for the benefit of the everyday commuter, or is it merely an excuse for the few who use it for convenience?
Furthermore, we could remember officials like the Philippine National Police (PNP), private vehicles of Senators like Manny Pacquiao, and other government vehicles that violate laws and use their names to drive through the bus lane, quickly escaping the bumper-to-bumper traffic in Manila.
It's infuriating to see how easily public transportation becomes collateral damage in the face of private vehicle dominance. The sheer volume of cars on our roads is the root of the problem, yet those who contribute to the traffic congestion seem to have the loudest voice in decision-making.
Persons driving private vehicles should not decide on matters of public transportation. How can officials, ignorant of the daily commuter struggles, truly grasp the impact of their choices? How would they understand our concerns when they do not have the same concern?
We, the commuters, are not just subjects for statistics. We are the backbone of this country, especially the workers who keep the economy running. Yet, we are consistently treated as an afterthought.
We are being stripped of our choices and are instead forced to adjust to the whims of those in power when in reality, it's our right to have convenient and comfortable transportation options.
These government officials forgot that they are public servants. Their service must be beneficial to the general public, not just the rich few.
The lack of transparency and public consultation only adds to the frustration. We deserve clear, detailed plans and a voice in decisions that positively impact our lives. Without it, the EDSA rehabilitation risks becoming another testament to unsympathetic bureaucracy.
Perhaps it's time to send a clear message. We need leaders who understand the daily struggle and have experienced the exhausting reality of commuting in Metro Manila. It's time to put a labor leader in the Senate or a person who truly understands and empathizes with the Filipino commuters' sentiment.
Only then can we hope for transportation policies that prioritize the needs of the people, not just the convenience of a select few. The EDSA bus lane closure is not just a traffic problem but a symptom of a deeper disconnect between those who govern and those who endure.
Article: Rupert Liam Ladaga
Graphics: Kent Bicol
Comments