Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5) — There is a move to build special bus stops along EDSA to accommodate more commuters, particularly the elderly and persons with disabilities, an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) disclosed on Friday.
At the hearing of the House Committee on Transportation, DOTr Assistant Secretary Mark De Leon said the department is proposing to build a bus stop on the third car lane on EDSA to accommodate more commuters.
“It’s a bus stop, ” De Leon told CNN Philippines in a phone interview. “Ang pinagkaiba lang talaga niyan, andoon siya sa third lane. Instead of a private car lane, magkakaroon tayo doon ng bus stop.”
[Translation: It’s a bus stop. The only difference is it is located on the third lane. Instead of a private car lane, we will dedicate it to a bus stop.]
Although De Leon was quick to add that the idea is “radical” and needs a lot of studying, he said the DOTr is presently coordinating with the Metro Manila Development Authority.
“Basically, ‘yong problems ng mga elderlies and PWDs (the problems of the elderlies and PWDs), will be addressed in this kind of concept,” he added.
Transportation advocate Robert Siy praised the DOTr initiative, pointing out that the infrastructure will greatly help individuals like PWDs and senior citizens, who cannot cross EDSA via footbridge.
“The new designs which will allow crossing at ground level to access the buses will be very favorable for persons with disability and even pregnant women, or people carrying heavy baggage,” Siy told the hearing.
Burdened by transport suspension
The suspension of public transport gravely affected 77% of Filipino families, according to a Social Weather Station Survey. The May SWS COVID-19 Mobile Phone Survey revealed that 47% of households do not own a private vehicle.
The survey also showed that 30% of the 53% of households with private vehicles, own either a motorcycle or an electronic bike.
Meanwhile, the national government is unfazed by calls to lift the ban prohibiting back-riding for motorcycles, even for family members.
READ: DOTr chief thumbs down back-riding on motorcycles, cites enforcement issues
Due to the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine implemented in March, public transportation was temporarily suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Several public transport systems only resumed operations on Monday as the quarantine eased into a more relaxed general community quarantine.
READ: Workers brave Metro Manila roads as PH relaxes COVID-19 lockdown rules
