MMDA on decongesting EDSA: Ditch cars, take public transportation

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday urged the public to take buses, jeepneys, and other public transportation as part of efforts to decongest EDSA amid the holiday season.

In an interview during the Ligtas Christmas 2025 launch at the Malinta National High School in Valenzuela, MMDA Swift Traffic Action Group Commander Edison Nebrija encouraged methods like carpooling and shuttle services to avoid additional vehicles on the roads.

“Yung mga magchri-Christmas party outside your office, kindly carpool. Di kayo tag-iisa na sasakyan. We see other companies encouraging [carpooling],” he said.

(For those who will be having their Christmas parties outside your office, kindly carpool. Don’t use individual cars. We see other companies encouraging [carpooling.])

He noted that travellers who have options to commute were often discouraged by the “first and last mile” of making it to and from the EDSA carousel.

Nebrija said shuttle services to MRT stations may help discourage workers from using separate vehicles and utilize railways instead.

“Paano magpupunta sa EDSA carousel? Pano [magpunta] from EDSA carousel to my office? Doon sila nadidiscourage eh. Siguro we could do something, magkaroon tayo ng common pick up [like] a shuttle to the station… Palagay ko if you can come up with this, madi-discourage na yung iba. They would rather take the train than magdala ng kotse,” he said.

(How do you get to the EDSA carousel? How [do you travel] from the EDSA carousel to my office? That’s where they get discouraged. I think we can do something, like have a common pick up [like] a shuttle to the station… I think if you can come up with this, others will become discouraged. They would rather take the train than bring a car.)

Meanwhile, he also shared discussions between Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon and MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes regarding EDSA rehabilitation processes.

As part of the rehabilitation, Artes and Dizon’s plans included pushing for a wider use of mass transportation to mitigate expected traffic that may occur during the process.

“In terms of expansion, I do not think there’s still more space to expand. Ang maganda dito, yung paguusapan ni Secretary Vince and Chairman Artes to whatever plans they will be adapting to encourage people to take more public transportation. I think that's something to look out for kasi yun talaga ang kailangan natin, for people to ditch their cars and take mass public transportation,” Nebrija said.

(In terms of expansion, I do not think there’s still more space to expand. The good thing is that Secretary Vince and Chairman Artes are already discussing whatever plans they will be adapting to encourage people to take more public transportation. I think that's something to look out for because that really is what we need, for people to ditch their cars and take mass public transportation.)

“Magandang way forward [ang EDSA rehabilitation] because we are supposed to be moving people and not cars… I do not want to pre-empt their talk. Antayin na lang natin because we need to rehab EDSA. Part of the rehabilitation is traffic congestion. But the thing is your government is working to address all these issues once and for all,” he added.

([EDSA rehabilitation] is a good way forward because we are supposed to be moving people and not cars… I do not want to pre-empt their talk. Let us just wait because we need to rehab EDSA. Part of the rehabilitation is traffic congestion. But the thing is your government is working to address all these issues once and for all.)   — BAP, GMA Integrated News