For those who regularly commute (or those looking for an alternative to driving through heavy traffic), the EDSA Carousel can be one of the fastest ways to get from north to south quickly along Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare.
This bus route, which runs 24/7 and makes use of a dedicated bus lane, allows commuters to ride and get off at designated points along EDSA without having to line up and stand in packed trains or brave the city gridlock.
In case you’ve never tried riding it, the EDSA Carousel Route 1 service runs from Monumento in Caloocan City to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Pasay City and vice versa. Unlike train services, where last trips range vary from 10:00 - 11:00 pm, the EDSA Carousel operates 24 hours a day, so it’s a good alternative to commuting during odd hours.
Not sure where and how to ride the EDSA Carousel or how much you need to pay? Here’s the most updated information on this route’s bus stops, detailed fare matrix covering all the stations, and what to expect when you ride.
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Where are the EDSA Carousel bus stops located?
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) recently shared an updated transit map showing all the key stops on the northbound and southbound routes. There are 23 northbound stops and 24 southbound stops, with key stops along EDSA in hubs like Quezon Avenue, Ortigas, Ayala, and Roxas Boulevard.
While not all connections are completely seamless, commuters can transfer to train lines such as the LRT-1 and MRT-3 stations in some stops.
Route 1: EDSA Busway (Southbound)
- Monumento
- Bagong Barrio
- Balintawak (LRT-1 transfer)
- Kaingin
- Fernando Poe Jr. / Roosevelt (LRT-1 transfer)
- SM North Edsa
- North Avenue (MRT-3 transfer)
- Philam QC
- Quezon Avenue
- Kamuning (MRT-3 transfer)
- Nepa Q-Mart
- Main Avenue
- Santolan-Annapolis (MRT-3 transfer)
- Ortigas (MRT-3 transfer)
- Guadalupe (MRT-3 transfer)
- Buendia (MRT-3 transfer)
- One Ayala (MRT-3 transfer)
- Tramo
- Taft Avenue (MRT-3 transfer)
- Roxas Boulevard
- SM Mall of Asia
- DFA
- Ayala Malls/ASEANA
- PITX (LRT-1 transfer)
Route 1: EDSA Busway (Northbound)
- PITX (LRT-1 transfer)
- City of Dreams
- DFA
- SM Mall of Asia
- Roxas Boulevard
- Taft Avenue
- >One Ayala (MRT-3 transfer)
- Buendia
- Guadalupe (MRT-3 transfer)
- Ortigas (MRT-3 transfer)
- Santolan-Annapolis (MRT-3 transfer)
- Main Avenue
- Nepa-Q Mart
- Kamuning (MRT-3 transfer)
- Philam
- North Avenue (MRT-3 transfer)
- SM North EDSA
- Fernando Poe Jr. / Roosevelt
- Kaingin
- Balintawak (LRT-1 transfer)
- Bagong Barrio
- Monumento
How to ride the EDSA Carousel?
Most EDSA Carousel stations are on the center island of EDSA under the MRT line. Passengers can reach these median stations by using footbridges. Note that some footbridges may be narrow and difficult to cross, especially during peak hours.
Some bus stops, such as the ones at Ayala (northbound), SM Mall of Asia, and Macapagal Boulevard, use the existing stops on the curbside, while the southbound Ayala bus stop is located inside One Ayala.
Only certain stations (Monumento, Bagong Barrio, Balintawak, SM North EDSA, Philam, Guadalupe, and One Ayala) currently have elevators or escalators to make access easier for seniors, persons with disabilities, and those who need extra assistance.
Once you get to the station, line up and wait for a bus to arrive. A conductor will approach you inside the bus for payment once you’re seated.
While buses are supposed to stop at every station, some buses will skip stops if no passengers are going down to save time. Make sure to tell the conductor your stop if you’re nearing it.
And while the service runs 24/7, understandably, the service slows down late at night. Expect longer waits if you’re riding after regular working hours between midnight and 4 a.m.
How much is the fare on EDSA Carousel?
The EDSA Carousel uses a distance-based fare system, starting at P15 for regular fares. Fares increase with longer trips.
Students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities get a 20% discount, making the minimum fare P12. All fares are rounded to the nearest P0.25. The adjusted fare applies daily, including weekends and holidays, as per MC 2017-024.
Based on the latest fare matrix, an end-to-end trip from Monumento to PITX (or vice versa), on the aircon buses, will cost you P74.50.This covers nearly 18 kilometers along EDSA.
If we were to compare fares to the MRT-3, the same distance from SM North EDSA to Taft Avenue (which both have MRT-3 transfers) would cost you P47.75 on the EDSA Bus (regular fare). Meanwhile, North Avenue to Taft Avenue on the MRT-3 costs only P28.00 on the MRT using a single journey ticket.
What mode of payment is accepted?
Presently, most buses can only accept cash for fare. You’ll be paying based on distance, so you should have enough cash on hand, ideally small bills and coins. When I recently rode from Quezon Avenue to MOA I was told that buses don’t accept beep cards or digital payments yet.
The conductor will issue either paper tickets or a a printed ticket receipt, which you should keep with you for the duration of the trip. Spot checks are sometimes done to make sure everyone has paid the correct fare, so keep your tickets handy.
Which bus stops are near other key stations for easy transfers?
If you’re planning to utilize multiple modes of public transportation, the SM North EDSA bus station connects commuters to the North Avenue MRT-3 line, and will be convenient once the future North Triangle Common Station of the MRT-7 is completed.
The Guadalupe Bus Stop (which stops at the Guadalupe Bridge) brings commuters close to the Guadalupe station of the free Pasig River Ferry Service.
The One Ayala stop is a key terminal with many other bus routes and near the BGC Bus service. The PITX stop also connects to the LRT-1.
What are the planned improvements under the EDSA Busway Rehabilitation Project?
While the EDSA Carousel is a big help for regular commuters, some gaps still exist, which could be addressed with future stops and better footbidges and concourses for safer and more convenient commutes. For instance, Cubao could greatly benefit from a stop nearer the Araneta Center-Cubao MRT-3 and LRT-2 lines.
Under the EDSA Busway Rehabilitation Project, four existing busway stations are set to undergo renovations while three new ones will be built over the next year.
Renovations are ongoing or planned for the Monumento, Bagong Barrio, North Avenue, and Guadalupe busway stations. Three additional stations, with two stops at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and a new stop in Cubao is also expected by 2026.
For questions or concerns, commuters can contact the DOTr Commuter Hotline at 0920-964-3687 or the LTFRB 24/7 Hotline at 1342, or send an email to publicassistance@dotr.gov.ph.
