Queued EDSA carousel buses delay ambulances, lose commuters

Long lines formed by EDSA carousel buses held up two ambulances and forced passengers to find other means of transportation on Sunday.

According to Katrina Son’s “24 Oras Weekend” report, ambulances were stuck behind lines of buses at the northbound lanes of EDSA-Quezon Avenue and Guadalupe.

Each bus spent 15 to 20 minutes waiting for passengers.

Some commuters decided to exit the buses to find faster means to get to their destinations.

“Mag-ibang sakay na lang po kami. Hirap sumakay, matagal. Abala pa masyado,” one commuter said.

“Matagal talaga, lalo na ngayong walang MRT,” another added.

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said this should not have happened as EDSA carousel buses must only spend one to two minutes at each stop to pick up or drop off passengers.

“Napag-usapan na namin ‘yan kasama ‘yung mga bus operators, ‘yung consortium ng EDSA carousel route, kinausap na namin ‘yan. Sinabi namin na bawat istasyon, two buses at a time kasi bumabalik tayo sa dating ugali e. Bagong sistema, dating ugali ng mga bus driver na dapat puno sila bago umalis,” MMDA traffic chief Bong Nebrija said.

“Kailangan bawat istasyong madadaanan mo, may masasakyan ‘yung mga kababayan natin. Sabi nila, consortium sila. E ba’t pa sila mag-aagawan ng pasahero? Kasi kung consortium kayo, ‘yung kita sa isang araw, papaghatian niyong lahat,” he added.

The MMDA had also stationed two personnel at each stop to enforce the rules. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News