MANILA — Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista allayed fears from commuters that the efficient EDSA Busway will be removed to cater to private vehicles traversing EDSA.
In a radio interview Friday, Sec. Bautista maintained that the dedicated lane for buses, which carry thousands of commuters daily, will not be removed but will rather be improved with the help of the private sector via the privatization of its operations and management (O&M).
“Yes, hindi tatanggalin ang EDSA Busway. Nagkaroon lang ng discussion diyan pero hindi siya tatanggalin,” Sec. Bautista said over DWPM Radyo 630.
The transport chief recently met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other Cabinet members to discuss the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) for Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Sec. Bautista noted that even the Chief Executive stressed that “we need to have an efficient public transport system.”
He further explained that the EDSA Busway is “not necessarily a replication of the MRT-3,” saying that the EDSA Busway serves commuters from Caloocan City up to Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Parañaque City. On the other hand, the MRT-3 rail line serves riders only from North Ave. in Quezon City up to Taft Ave.
Sec. Bautista said 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.
EDSA BUSWAY EXPANSION
To further support statements against the removal of the EDSA Busway, Sec. Bautista said that the feasibility study for the project’s privatization will be completed in a few months, adding that he hopes that the O&M for the operations of the EDSA Busway will be awarded by the end of 2026.
“Yung feasibility study matatapos natin within the next few months. We’re expecting that we will be able to award the O&M 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. (DOTr): dot
