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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 27) — The Department of Transportation has sought the assistance of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center to create a feasibility study for its plan to privatize the EDSA busway.
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Speaking to CNN Philippines’ Traffic Center on Thursday, Transportation Undersecretary. Mark Steven Pastor said target completion for the study is within the next six to eight months.
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“As of today, the department sought the assistance of the private-public partnership or PPP center in the development of the feasibility study for the privatization of certain components of the EDSA busway,” Pastor said.
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“It is the position of the department now to explore the possibility of a privatization of the operations and maintenance of the EDSA busway so that we can provide better service to our riding public,” he added.
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READ: DOTr eyes privatization of EDSA busway by 2023
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in an earlier media interview said the government has no plans to privatize “anything.”
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Meanwhile, Pastor said the department is also considering programs for discounted fares including possible seasonal free rides.
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“Regarding the possibility of a fare discount, the various contracting programs may adopt other strategies such as seasonal free rides to the public,” the official said.
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He added that the department is also mulling over the program’s co-implementation scheme with local government units.
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