EDSA busway will not be removed - DOTr chief

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Transportation (DOTr) rejected claims that the Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) busway will be eventually removed.

In a radio interview on Friday, Feb. 7, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the bus lanes are not a replication of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) — as opposed to the remark of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Romando Artes.

The MMDA chief earlier floated the idea of removing the EDSA busway should the MRT-3 have enough capacity to load passengers. Artes said there were also suggestions to designate the bus lane for high occupancy vehicles.

“Nagkaroon lang ng discussion diyan pero hindi siya tatanggalin,” said Bautista.

[There have been discussions about that but it will not be removed]

He added that even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. noted that the country needs an efficient public transport system.

Bautista said the DOTr is expecting the results of the feasibility study for the busway in the coming months.

The DOTr chief earlier said the agency is fixing its term of reference for the busway’s proposed privatization for a possible turnover in 2026.

The special bus lane began in 2020 to address travel woes during the pandemic. It followed a paid fare system in 2023.

Bus operations stretch from Monumento in Caloocan to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Lance Mejico contributed to this report