MANILA – Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez opposed a proposal to allow carpooling vehicles on the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) Busway, saying it would slow down bus operations and undermine the purpose of the dedicated lanes.

“The busway was designed primarily to move more people—not more cars—by providing fast and uninterrupted service to buses carrying up to 300,000 passengers daily,” Lopez said.

The proposal, put forward by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre III, aims to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila by allowing high-occupancy vehicles, or cars with at least 10 passengers, to use the busway. Torre said the plan is being studied as a way to promote carpooling.

Lopez stressed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives emphasize commuter-focused and pro–mass transit policies, rather than car-centric solutions. He added that many passengers have testified to the EDSA Busway’s effectiveness in providing quick and efficient public transportation.

“Sapat na dahilan ito para manatiling eksklusibo ang EDSA Busway para lamang sa mga bus at mga komyuter,” Lopez said.

He also said the Department of Transportation remains open to dialogue with the MMDA, other government agencies, and civil society organizations to develop innovative and holistic solutions to Metro Manila’s traffic problems.