EXTENDED BUS CAROUSEL DESIGN CONCEPT

EXTENDED BUS CAROUSEL DESIGN CONCEPT

I simply cannot understand why anyone would want to put a stop to the EDSA Bus Carousel Project. It is an excellent idea, and more importantly, it is working very well.

Who exactly is so affected by the project that they want it discontinued? Could it be the private bus companies? That seems unlikely, given that they are all welcome to join the system if they so choose. Or perhaps it is those who are not earning as much as they did before because the era of cutthroat competition is over?

To be fair, that competition may be gone, but no one can deny that the flow of traffic on EDSA has improved. Yes, the traffic is still slow but imagine how much worse it would be if the Bus Carousel Project is removed.

Personally, I support the EDSA Bus Carousel Project so much that I would like to see it extended farther—both to the north and south—as far as it could possibly go.

Is it not obvious to everyone that the Carousel Project is essentially a bus-train concept? A bus-train system is essentially a train without the railway tracks, and more importantly, it is a far cheaper alternative.

In many other countries, this concept is called a "Bus Rapid Transit" (BRT) system. If you ask me, we could even call it "Bus Extended Rapid Train" (BERT).

Going further, the entire system could be managed like a single train company, complete with a unified scheduling and fare collection system. Not to overcomplicate things, but BERT represents the practical implementation of a mass transit strategy.

A well-designed mass transit strategy encourages people to take public transport instead of driving cars or taking taxis. The more people use BERT, the fewer private vehicles we will have on the road, improving traffic flow even further.

I once lived in New York and never had to drive a car to work because the train system was so reliable. Parking was expensive and hard to find, so the choice was easy. If we develop the EDSA Bus Carousel system into a full BERT model, we can give Metro Manila commuters that same choice.

Eventually, the BERT should be fully integrated with MRT, LRT, and even PNR. A single fare collection system—like Hong Kong’s Octopus system—should be introduced for convenience.

As the saying goes, "If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it." But to that, I would add: "If I can make it better, why not?"

Examples of Extended Urban Bus-Train Projects:

Articulated Bus Systems

  • Curitiba, Brazil: Curitiba’s BRT system features articulated buses that can carry up to 270 passengers.
  • Vancouver, Canada: TransLink’s articulated buses provide high-capacity service on busy urban routes.

Bi-Articulated Bus Systems

  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: The city’s BRT system includes bi-articulated buses capable of transporting up to 350 passengers.
  • Bogotá, Colombia: The TransMilenio system operates bi-articulated buses to handle large passenger volumes efficiently.

Tram-Style Bus Systems

  • Adelaide, Australia: The O-Bahn Busway features tram-style buses for efficient urban transit.
  • Essen, Germany: The Essen Stadtbahn combines tram-style buses with urban rail systems.

Other Successful Urban Transit Models

  • Singapore’s Bus Plus: A high-capacity system featuring articulated buses and dedicated bus lanes.
  • London’s New Routemaster: A hybrid bus design offering extended layouts and increased passenger capacity.

Successful BRT Projects Demonstrating Extended Urban Coverage

  • TransMilenio (Bogotá, Colombia): One of the world’s most successful BRT systems, with dedicated lanes and efficient fare collection.
  • Guangzhou BRT (China): A high-capacity system serving densely populated urban areas.
  • Curitiba Red Line (Brazil): A pioneering BRT model integrated with land-use planning.
  • Metrobus (Istanbul, Turkey): Connecting the European and Asian sides of the city through a BRT network.
  • Ecovia (Porto Alegre, Brazil): A well-integrated system within the city’s transit plan.

Key Features of Extended Urban BRT Projects

  • Dedicated Bus Lanes: Ensuring speed and reliability.
  • Enclosed Stations: Pre-board fare collection improves efficiency.
  • High-Capacity Buses: Articulated or bi-articulated buses handle large passenger volumes.
  • Integrated Ticketing: Seamless connectivity with other transit modes.
  • Traffic Signal Priority: Reducing travel times at intersections.

A strong, well-extended BERT system is not just about improving transit. It is about reshaping cities to become more livable and efficient. The EDSA Bus Carousel has already taken the first step—now let’s take it further.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

07-08-2025

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