MMDA to allow provincial buses on EDSA from Dec 20 to Jan 2

Provincial buses along EDSA will be allowed this Christmas season

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced that it will be allowing provincial buses to traverse EDSA beginning on December 20, 2024, to January 2, 2025. According to the agency, it will be for the faster turnaround time and to accommodate more passengers as increased volume is expected as the holiday season approaches.

From December 20 to 25, provincial buses are allowed to traverse EDSA starting 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, while from December 26 up to January 2, 2025, these buses will be allowed on the said major thoroughfare 24 hours. More than 2,100 buses will benefit from the said holiday traffic scheme.

All provincial buses coming from the north shall terminate their trips in Cubao, Quezon City while those coming from the south shall terminate their trips in Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Pasay City.

MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes, said that the volume of vehicles traversing EDSA has already reached 464,000 and is expected to further increase up to 480,000 in the second to third week of December with travel speed averaging to 18 km/h – substantially lower than the normal 21 km/h. The MMDA chief said that the travel speed is expected to decrease further to around 15 kph as Christmas nears.

“Albeit there is an expected increase in vehicular volume this Christmas season, we want our bus operators to serve more passengers for their convenience and faster travel to their respective destinations,” Artes said, as he likewise assured that bus carousel trips will not be affected by this adjustment for the holiday season.

He likewise reminded the public to plan their trips well, particularly going to malls where adjusted operating hours are currently implemented.

Additionally, the duty of MMDA traffic personnel will be extended until 12 midnight from the normal deployment until 10:00 PM. A no-absent, no-leave policy is also implemented for the duration of the Christmas season.