EDSA traffic hits holiday peak with 434K vehicles - MMDA

The number of vehicles on EDSA reached record levels this week as the holiday season and year-end bonuses drove more Filipinos to shop and stay longer on the road, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported on Friday, Dec. 12.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG

MMDA Chairman Romando “Don” Artes said traffic counts recorded 434,000 vehicles this December, a sharp increase from less than 400,000 in November.

“In November, the number was lower with less than 400,000 vehicles passing through EDSA. Two Mondays ago, since it was a holiday last Monday (December 8), we counted again and it reached 434,000 which is somewhat record-breaking for us. This year, this is the highest number we have recorded,” he said in a radio interview with DZRH.

The agency expects the volume to grow another five to 10 percent over the next week, coinciding with the payday weekend.

“We expect another five to ten percent increase within the week until next week. Especially this weekend, many of our fellow citizens will surely go shopping since bonuses and 13th-month pay are being released so we really expect the volume of vehicles to increase not just on EDSA but throughout Metro Manila,” Artes said.

However, the MMDA noted that the EDSA Bus Carousel has helped ease congestion for commuters.

“These buses carry more than 50 passengers each. Imagine how uninterrupted the ride is, and most of the commuters are ordinary workers,” he shared.