Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 26) — San Miguel Corporation has revealed plans to operate on Skyway Stage 3 the country’s first-ever Bus Rapid Transit system.
In a statement, the diversified conglomerate says the BRT system will use the elevated expressway for buses that shall function like trains — they will be transporting many passengers at a time and stopping only at designated stations at set intervals.
With Skyway and its expressway projects mainly designed to divert a considerable number of vehicles from major thoroughfares like EDSA and C-5, SMC president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang says the BRT system has always been part of their vision for it.
“Lessening the vehicles competing for road space is how elevated expressways ease traffic—as we have seen now on EDSA. This also means improving the daily commutes of Filipinos taking public transportation that use these roads,” said Ang. “However, our need for efficient transport systems will always be there, so more solutions are required. The Skyway BRT system is one viable solution that is also highly scalable.”
SMC wants the proposed system to span from Susanna Heights in Muntinlupa to Balintawak towards the North Luzon Expressway.
Since the buses under this BRT will run along a controlled expressway, this means they cannot go off-course or stop anywhere. This in turn will ensure commuters more reliability and predictability in public transport, said Ang.
The SMC big boss said they’re currently doing studies on the system and formulating a plan, which they will present to the Transportation Department once it’s ready.
“We’re very excited to start discussions on this. The most important thing is that the platform is already here—the completed elevated Skyway system—and this BRT or high-capacity P2P system will make commutes faster and better for many Filipinos,” said the SMC chief.
Ang likewise mentioned they can implement the BRT on their other new projects to expand its area of coverage.
“Our expressways are really designed not just for motorists, but also to serve as a platform for efficient and sustainable mass transportation,” he explained.
SMC formally opened the Skyway, which links both NLEX and the South Luzon Expressway, to the public this January.
