Pasig City: The Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Busway and other public transport systems will be prioritized during the planned EDSA rebuild, which is set to commence on June 13. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announced in a press conference at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) headquarters that the busway will remain operational throughout the reconstruction process.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dizon emphasized that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s priority is the 200,000 daily commuters who rely on the busway. To promote commuting and manage traffic, 100 additional buses will be introduced to the EDSA carousel route. This move aims to alleviate congestion caused by the traffic schemes the MMDA will implement to reduce the number of private vehicles on EDSA.
The rebuild will start with EDSA's inner lane, but adjustments will be made to the busway barriers to ensure its continuous operation. Only two buses will be allowed to wait at each station, with a strict 30-second timer to maintain flow. Modifications will also be made to the Metro Railway Transit 3 (MRT-3) to expedite queues and increase capacity. X-ray machines will be removed to speed up the process, based on studies of train services in other countries. However, security will be reinforced with more Philippine Coast Guard personnel and K9 units.
The MRT-3 will see an increase in passenger capacity by adding more trains or utilizing more four-car trains. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan stated that the EDSA rebuild, set to begin on June 13, is expected to be completed by 2027. The project will also focus on enhancing pedestrian lanes and drainage structures to address flooding in specific areas of EDSA.
