Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 29) — Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic chief Bong Nebrija said the agency is expecting to complete 14 new bus stops in the middle portion of EDSA.
Nebrija told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon that there are eight stations already completed near train stations and at foot bridges along the major thoroughfare.
These stops have railings and stairs needed to connect ways and protect commuters, he said.
As for the other bus stops, he said they just need minor structures like railings, stairs and connection of foot bridges.
Nebrija noted that on MMDA’s plan, a total of 25 bus stops will be put in place. However, he said the agency is still studying if more are needed considering it is restricted by time and budget.
The construction of these bus stops started on June 1 when Metro Manila shifted to general community quarantine, which allowed for more movement in the capital.
On safety concerns, the traffic chief said barricades will be put up at the stops. A total of 36,000 barricades are needed to complete the whole stretch of EDSA and they are expected to arrive weekly by batch starting July 1.
Nebrija said the new system will be more efficient than the pre-COVID-19 set up.
He noted that since there will only be one route, arrival and departure of buses can be tracked through time. He added that loading and unloading of passengers will also be within two to three minutes, and heavy traffic near stop lights due to buses racing for passengers will also be prevented.
“When we make it this efficient, palagay ko marami sa mga may sariling sasakyan ngayon lilipat na sa ganitong uri ng transportasyon, eh makaka-minimize na tayo ng traffic sa EDSA eventually,” Nebrija said.
[Translation: When we make it this efficient, I think many of those who ride private vehicles will shift to this kind of transportation, thus we can minimize traffic on EDSA eventually.”]
Mass transportation was suspended in mid-March in Metro Manila and in other areas with the implementation of enhanced community quarantine amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
It resumed on June 1, with only trains, augmentation buses, taxis, Transportation Network Vehicle Service, shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles allowed to hit the road, but at limited capacity.
Modern jeepneys and UV Express were also allowed recently to resume operations, while other modes of public transportation like traditional jeepneys and provincial buses remain suspended.
