Provincial buses allowed on EDSA

For Holy Week Exodus

MANILA, Philippines — Provincial buses will be allowed to pass through certain portions of EDSA from April 3 to 10 for the Holy Week exodus, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced yesterday.

Provincial buses can enter EDSA from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. from April 3 to 5. They would be allowed “round-the-clock” from April 6 to 10, the MMDA said.

However, provincial buses coming from North Luzon should end their trips “at bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City,” the MMDA said.

Buses from South Luzon should “terminate their trips at the bus terminals in Pasay City,” it added.

The MMDA also implemented this policy during the Christmas season last year.

The partial easing of the ban on provincial buses along EDSA was made to “allow the provincial buses to accommodate the expected high number of passengers going to the provinces for the Lenten season and ensure the convenience and comfort of commuters,” it said.

The government has banned provincial buses from EDSA since 2019 and ordered operators to pick up and drop off passengers at terminals in Valenzuela City and in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Last year, the MMDA tried a window period for provincial buses to use EDSA.

Meanwhile, some stations of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 will remain open for passengers who will ride buses at the EDSA Bus Carousel during the Holy Week closure, according to the MRT-3 management.

The following stations will let in commuters who will use the EDSA Bus Carousel: North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Santolan, Ortigas, Guadalupe and Buendia.

From April 6 to 10, the MRT-3 will be closed to the public for its maintenance works.