Safer and more convenient walkways await commuters and pedestrians alike with the upcoming construction of the EDSA Busway Concourse Project next month, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
The DOTr led on Tuesday, May 18, the virtual groundbreaking of the over P120-million project in partnership with SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPHI). The plan calls for the construction of three concourses to be built at SM Mall of Asia (MOA), SM Megamall, and SM North EDSA.
The concourse at SM MOA is expected to be finished by December 2021, while the target completion date for Megamall and North EDSA concourses is May 2022, the DOTr said.
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said the EDSA Concourse Project is envisioned to provide Filipinos with a safer, more convenient access to the stations of the EDSA Busway, and to give them a better commuting experience overall.
These concourses will be equipped with ticketing booths, Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) turnstiles, and concierges. These will allow passengers to complete transport transactions even before they get to board the buses.
"With the EDSA Busway, we are not just changing the system, but also the culture on the road. We are inculcating the values and the discipline for the benefit of the people," Tugade said during the virtual ceremony.
"Taos-puso ang aking pasasalamat dahil sa wakas, makakamit at matitikman na ng publiko ng tunay na pagbabago sa EDSA gamit ang EDSA Busway Concourse (I give my sincere thanks as finally, the public will soon experience real change in EDSA with the EDSA Busway Concourse)," he added.
IN PHOTOS: “ANG PAGBABAGO SA EDSA AY ISANG GAWAIN NA HINDI HIHINTO. ITO AY TULOY-TULOY” Transportation Sec. Arthur P....
Posted by Department of Transportation - Philippines on Tuesday, May 18, 2021
For his part, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan assured their support to the endeavor, which is expected to elevate the experience of all road users.
"Through this initiative, SM Supermalls looks forward to contributing to the vision of DOTr, and its partner agencies and the local government units (LGUs), in providing a more comfortable, efficient, and convenient experience for the commuting public," Tan said.
The EDSA Busway system is a joint project of the DOTr, in cooperation with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The busway began interim operations in June 2020. It was designed to shorten travel time for commuters as well as provide a comfortable commute for Filipinos amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.