‘Defunding busway to disrupt 183,000 commuters, PITX traffic’

Nearly 183,000 Metro Manila commuters could face transport disruptions next year if legislators reject allocating P1.76 billion for the EDSA Busway's operations, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The agency is at risk of halting the popular public transport due to funding shortages. The DOTr has yet to finalize the project study for a planned public-private partnership (PPP) for the busway, currently developing a P21.17-billion concession for eventual private takeover.

The busway handled 66.67 million passengers in 2025, with daily ridership averaging 182,656 and reaching a peak of 321,186 single-day traffic. Megawide Construction Corp., operator of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), the busway's southernmost stop, expressed concern over the potential impact on its 180,000 daily passengers.

PITX chief business development officer Jaime Raphael Feliciano stated that any significant changes to the EDSA busway system could affect traffic and passenger movements. The DOTr is appealing to lawmakers to secure the P1.76-billion funding for infrastructure, security, janitorial services, and staff wages. Without funding, the DOTr may explore alternative funding options, including a PPP.

Pastor emphasized the importance of reliable funding to ensure the busway's year-round operation. The DOTr had recently awarded P264.86-million for new stations in Cubao, Magallanes, and PITX, as well as renovated the Kamuning station and replaced a steep footbridge nearby. The busway, conceptualized during the pandemic in 2022, saw ridership surge in 2025 to 66.67 million passengers, becoming one of Metro Manila's busiest transport modes.