More buses, possible toll-free Skyway during EDSA rebuild - Dizon

Metro Manila, Philippines - More buses will be deployed, while parts of Skyway may possibly be toll-free once the rebuilding of the Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) begins in June, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said.

In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, May 21, Dizon said at least 500 buses will also be deployed once the rehabilitation begins.

“Sa busway, may direktiba na magdagdag ng bus, nagdadagdag na ng singkwenta nitong nakaraan at nagpapadagdag pa ulit lalo na kapag may rebuild, mas kailangan ng bus,” said Dizon.

[Translation: In the busway, we already have a directive to add more bus units. We already added 50 vehicles and we want to add more when the rebuilding begins. We need it.]

He said extending MRT-3 operations is also under review. Operating hours for the train line from Pasay to Quezon City was extended by an hour on weekdays in March.

Meanwhile, the transportation chief also said he is in talks with San Miguel Corporation, the operator of the Skyway, to possibly waive fees in parts of the tollway during the EDSA overhaul to provide free alternate routes for motorists.

Dizon said while nothing has been finalized yet, the agency is also discussing the kind of compensation to the toll operator.

“May iba’t ibang paraan para mabigyan ng reprieve ang San Miguel ang ating operator. Hindi lang subsidy ang paraan diyan. Marami pang ibang gawain para makabawi ang San Miguel Corporation doon sa mabigat ding revenue loss,” he said.

[Translation: There are different ways to grant San Miguel and our operator a reprieve. Subsidy is not the only way. There are many other measures that can help San Miguel Corporation recover from the significant revenue loss.]

NewsWatch Plus has reached out to SMC for comment.