Department of Transportation officially opens EDSA Carousel Tramo Station

An additional stop for the EDSA bus Carousel service has just opened in Tramo in Pasay City allowing passengers to board or exit the busway. The Tramo station is one among four new bus stops planned by the Department of Transportation to open. This year, more bus stops will be put up between North and Quezon Avenues as well as Ormoc Road in Quezon City, and Magallanes in Makati City.

The addition of the Tramo bus stop is said to provide convenience to busway passengers by shortening the distance commuters have to walk, according to DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista.

Sadly, despite the good news of having more stations to choose from, the Libreng Sakay Program officially ended last year on December 31, 2022. Because of this, passengers will now have to pay the fare starting January 1, 2023, onwards. The fare for an end-to-end trip starting from Monumento to PITX will be around 70 to 76 pesos. Of course, students, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens are entitled to discounts. 

There is a sliver of hope, however, that the Libreng Sakay program will be extended even further. Back in November 2022, Senate Finance panel chair, Senator Sonny Angara provided the possibility that the Libreng Sakay program could extend for this year as funding for it was included in the proposed 2023 budget. P1.2 billion was allotted by the government for the Libreng Sakay program under the General Appropriations Act of 2023.

The EDSA busway is able to accommodate 300,000 passengers daily. With the addition of bus stations such as these and more PUV units, the EDSA Carousel busway may be able to accommodate and service more passengers as the DOTr continues to expand the reach of the EDSA busway.