[3] Interim operations began on June 1, 2020, serving as a replacement of the former bus routes along EDSA, acting as an augmentation service to the MRT Line 3 due to the limited capacity restrictions put in place by the general community quarantine in Metro Manila as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.

[8] Traffic congestion has always been a concern in the area and since 2007, the MMDA ordered buses to stay on the two right-most lanes of the road.

On March 16, 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) imposed a community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted almost all public and private transportation using EDSA.

[15] On July 1, 2020, the EDSA Carousel line, also designated as Route E, started its interim operations with a total of fifteen stops in a dedicated bus lane completed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

In the wake of increasing inflation and world market movements affecting currency values, free rides for the EDSA Carousel were announced for the remaining months of then-President Rodrigo Duterte's term.

Upon Bongbong Marcos's assumption of the presidency, free rides were extended until the end of 2022, in spite of budgetary concerns.

[18][19] However, the free rides introduced problems of ridership capacity and the amount of buses available to serve passengers during rush hours.

Transportation secretary Jaime Bautista stated that the DOTr is open to such proposals, adding these must be "explored expeditiously.

Plans are also underway to expand the Busway system by improving the accessibility and connectivity on various bus stops to nearby transport networks.

On November 16, 2020, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed an agreement with SM Prime Holdings, DM Wenceslao and Associates Inc., and Double Dragon Properties Corp. for the construction of EDSA busway bridges.

[32] The pedestrian bridges were conceptualized with concourses, concierge, ticketing booths, and turnstiles for the automated fare collection system.

[35] The proposed Cubao, Connecticut, Greenfields, and Estrella stops still remain under consideration, as the location, funding, and feasibility studies are yet to be determined and conducted.

[56] In light of this, the Move As One Coalition, a non-government transport advocacy organization, urged the government to implement at-grade crosswalks and speed limits, widen the EDSA Busway lanes, use safer barriers and BRT-compatible buses, and conduct proper training for bus drivers.