An online rant of Rep. Richard Gomez (Leyte, Fourth District) on Thursday, August 29, against EDSA Bus Carousel Lane or EDSA busway, earned the public’s ire. In a now-deleted Facebook post uploaded while he was stuck in traffic in his air-conditioned vehicle, Gomez suggested opening the EDSA busway to cars during heavy traffic to ease congestion.
“Two hours in EDSA traffic and counting. From Makati, Ayala nasa SM EDSA pa lang ako up to now. Eh QC ang punta ko.
1 or 2 hours pa ba?!” the actor-turned-politician wrote in the now-deleted Facebook post. “Ilang bus lang ang gumagamit ng bus lane, bakit hindi buksan during heavy traffic para mas lumuwag ang traffic?” he suggested. Several commuters were not pleased with the lawmaker’s suggestion, suggesting he should be taking the bus instead.
“Wow Richard Gomez. Just wow. Eh kung sumakay ka na lang kaya ng bus? Nakakahiya naman sayo na may sariling sasakyan at mas kumportable kesa sa amin na nagsisiksikan makauwi lang ha,” an X user said.
“Dear Congressman Richard Gomez: I understand the challenges our commuters face daily while traveling in Metro Manila. Opening bus lanes exclusively for car owners and VIPs undermines the existing transportation framework intended for public benefit,” another said. “As a lawmaker, your influence is crucial in prioritizing improving our mass transportation system.
By enhancing the infrastructure and efficiency of public transport, we can alleviate traffic congestion and provid.