DOTr to start new bus dispatch scheme on EDSA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr), in tandem with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), will soon start implementing a new bus-fielding scheme on EDSA that would reduce the number of buses running during off-peak hours and lessen traffic congestion.

Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, who chairs the House of Representatives committee on transportation, said yesterday DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade briefed his panel on the planned synchronized bus dispatch system.

“The ultimate solution to the traffic problem is volume reduction. However, to attain it, we have to augment the railway system with the centralized and synchronized bus dispatch system,” he said.

Sarmiento said with the new scheme, there would be fewer buses plying EDSA during most hours of the day.

He said studies have shown that during non-peak hours, buses are less than half-filled and are clogging EDSA.

“During rush hours in the morning and afternoon up to early evening, sufficient buses will be fielded,” Sarmiento stressed.

“Once the commuting public finally realizes that the EDSA rail facility and the bus scheme are working hand in hand efficiently in moving passengers, then we can introduce other volume reduction measures,” he added.

Sarmiento said the DOTr has agreed to work with the MMDA and his committee to put together a detailed plan and timeline on the implementation of the bus dispatch system.

“We will be there to help in terms of policy inputs and to make sure that we can set this plan in motion the soonest time possible,” he said.

He said buses covered by the synchronized dispatch scheme would be installed with global position system and RFID (radio frequency identification) devices for better monitoring.

He said electronic or beep cards would be used for fare payment to hasten the loading and unloading of passengers.

Marikina Rep. Bayani Fernando, a former MMDA chairman, has supported the synchronized consolidated bus-dispatching plan.