THE TRANSPORTATION department said the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Busway remains one of the most efficient public transport systems in Metro Manila amid calls to phase out the busway system.
“The EDSA Busway is seen as a crucial step towards a progressive public transportation system with 23 stations operating 24/7, affording commuters a safe and reliable option for transport,” the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said in a statement.
This followed the remarks of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairperson Romando S. Artes on Wednesday about the possibility of removing or gradually phasing out the busway system to help ease traffic and amid the expanding capacity of MRT-3.
Mr. Artes said MRT-3 is expected to have an additional capacity of about 30%.
Last year alone, over 63 million commuters benefited from the EDSA Busway system, the Transportation department said, adding that in January the busway served over 5.5 million passengers.
This is an average of 177,000 daily commuters, it said.
To recall, the DoTr has tapped the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for technical support for the EDSA Busway project.
The DoTr said that it is planning to offer the project via solicited mode after it returned the unsolicited proposal of infrastructure company Megawide Construction Corp.
For now, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the agency is awaiting the result of the feasibility study on the EDSA Busway.
“[The DoTr] is waiting for the result of the feasibility study on how best to improve the EDSA Busway tapping private sector technical and financial expertise. The goal is to improve commuter experience without worsening existing traffic conditions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bautista said the DoTr is further studying the proposal to open the bicycle lanes for the possibility of mixed use with motorcycles. — Ashley Erika O. Jose