Edsa Carousel
The EDSA Carousel also known as EDSA Busway is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system that connects to a number of bus routes in Metro Manila. It is located alongside EDSA and other roads, traveling on a designated lane, and is separated from regular traffic for the majority of its length by concrete barriers and steel bollards on the innermost lane. EDSA Busway is the most efficient, affordable, comfortable and safe bus service in Metro Manila, Philippines.
Due to the limited capacity constraints imposed by the general community quarantine in Metro Manila as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, interim operations started on June 1, 2020, replacing the prior bus routes along EDSA. Full operations then started on July 1, 2020. Certain stops are momentarily served by bus stops on the curbside even though they are primarily intended to be served by stops along the median.
Under the direction of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the line is run by the Mega Manila Consortium Corporation and ES Transport and Partners Consortium.
Opening
Passenger volumes started to rise as a result of limitations being gradually loosened and an increase in the number of passengers. Free rides for the EDSA Carousel were promised for the remaining months of the previous president Rodrigo Duterte’s term in response to rising inflation and global market fluctuations that affected currency prices. Notwithstanding budgetary worries, free rides were extended under Bongbong Marcos’ administration until the end of 2022. However, the free rides created issues with ridership capacity and the number of buses available to service passengers during rush hours.
To further enhance its services, proposals to privatize the EDSA Carousel’s operations were investigated. Such suggestions should be “explored swiftly,” according to Transportation Minister Jaime Bautista, who is receptive to them.
Ridership
130,238,608 commuters have used the line since it opened in June 2020, which is within the period from June 2020 to November 2022. Overall ridership increased from 41,000 to 60,000 people per day on average from June to December 2020 and continued to increase in 2021, reaching a daily average of 129,000 passengers with a record-breaking 160,000 passengers in June 2021. Total ridership in 2021 totaled 47,104,197.
The line’s greatest passenger volume ever was 404,010 on October 24, 2022, while the average daily ridership for the entire year was 389,579. The line carried 80,832,186 passengers, setting a new record for total ridership.
EDSA Carousel Bus Stops
15 bus stops were initially present when the route was temporarily launched, and more stops were later added. As of December 31, 2022, 21 bus stops are currently in use. The entire route is serviced by 751 approved buses and 87 operators.
List of EDSA Carousel Bus Stops
| Name | Type | Location |
| Monumento | Median | Caloocan |
| Bagong Barrio | Median | Caloocan |
| Balintawak | Median | Quezon City |
| Kaingin Road | Median | Quezon City |
| Roosevelt | Median | Quezon City |
| North Avenue | Median | Quezon City |
| Quezon Avenue | Median | Quezon City |
| Mega Q-Mart | Median | Quezon City |
| Main Avenue | Median | Quezon City |
| Santolan | Median | Quezon City |
| Ortigas | Median | Mandaluyong |
| Guadalupe | Median | Makati |
| Buendia | Median | Makati |
| Ayala | Curbside (NB) | Makati |
| One Ayala Terminal | Terminal (SB) | Makati |
| Tramo | Median | Pasay |
| Taft Avenue | Median | Pasay |
| Roxas Boulevard | Median | Pasay |
| SM Mall of Asia (MOA) | Curbside | Pasay |
| Macapagal – Bradco Avenue | Curbside | Parañaque |
| City of Dreams | Curbside | Parañaque |
| Ayala Malls Manila Bay | Curbside | Parañaque |
| PITX Terminal | Terminal | Parañaque |