Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Friday said that the government is not planning to remove the EDSA Busway, but will rather hand over its operations to a private sector operator to further improve commuter experience.
In a statement issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) citing Bautista’s radio interview, the Transportation chief said that the dedicated lane for buses — which it earlier described as “one of the most efficient public road transport systems in Metro Manila” —will not be removed.
Bautista added that there are plans to improve the EDSA Busway through the privatization of its operations and management.
“Yes, hindi tatanggalin ang EDSA Busway. Nagkaroon lang ng discussion diyan pero hindi siya tatanggalin,” he said.
The Transportation chief issued the statement following Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes’ remarks that the EDSA Busway will be eventually removed once the carrying capacity of the MRT3 is increased.
To further allay fears of the commuting public, Bautista said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself, stressed that “we need to have an efficient public transport system.”
The DOTr chief said he and other Cabinet members recently had a meeting with Marcos to discuss the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) for Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Bautista added that the Busway is “not necessarily a replication of the MRT3,” saying that the dedicated bus lane serves commuters from Caloocan City up to Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Parañaque City.
On the other hand, the MRT3 rail line serves riders only from North Avenue in Quezon City up to Taft Avenue in Pasay City.
He added that even point-to-point buses (P2P) and airport express buses are now being allowed to ply the EDSA Busway to help alleviate congestion along the country’s busiest thoroughfare.
Bautista said the feasibility study for the EDSA Busway’s privatization will be completed in a few months.
“Yung feasibility study matatapos natin within the next few months. We’re expecting that we will be able to award the O&M (operations and management) of the EDSA Busway by the end of 2026,” he said.
“Gusto sana natin na yung EDSA Busway conforms to international standards para sa comfort at convenience ng ating mga pasahero,” he added. — BAP, GMA integrated News
