The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to kickstart its major modernization effort to improve the EDSA bus carousel during the rehabilitation of Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare.
The DOTr is planning to build dedicated concourses, away from Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), to serve as bus stations along the carousel’s soon-to-be 25 stops.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon earlier observed that the queue of passengers tends to congest since the bus stops and MRT-3 stations are typically connected.
Dizon told reporters that these dedicated hubs will be patterned from the busway concourse constructed and donated to the government by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPH), located at the front of SM North EDSA.
During the inauguration event on Thursday, March 13, SMPH President Jeffrey Lim said the concourse serves as the company’s commitment to ease the commuter experience.
The new facility features well-lit and covered walkways, with ramps and elevators that ensure accessibility for all commuters, particularly senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Even if the mall is already closed for the day, it will serve commuters 24/7.
According to Dizon, the concourse at the front of SM Megamall is currently under construction. This will be the 25th station of the EDSA Carousel.
There is also an initiative to build a similar structure at SM Mall of Asia—the 26th station—but this is still on the pipeline.
While plans are not yet set in stone, the DOTr and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is looking into starting its modernization effort on the EDSA bus carousel as early as April.
This would coincide with the planned start of the Department of Public Works and Highways‘ (DPWH) major overhaul of EDSA.
“Kami ni Chairman Don [Artes], sasabayan na namin. Habang ginagawa ng DPWH ‘yung kalye, sasabay na kami dito sa gitna,” said Dizon while alongside the MMDA head.
(Chairman Don Artes and I will proceed at the same time. While the DPWH is working on the road, we will simultaneously work here in the middle.)
“So, magtutulungan kami with MMDA, para gagayahin na rin lang ito. Bakit pa tayo mag-iisip? Kinakita na ng SM sa atin kung anong maganda. So, gagayahin na rin,” he added, referring to the bus concourse at SM North EDSA.
(So, we will collaborate with the MMDA to replicate this. Why overthink it? SM has already shown us what works well, so we’ll follow their example.)
The Transportation Secretary noted that the DPWH is set to rehabilitate the capital region’s primary thoroughfare in preparation for next year’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
While he is mum about details, Dizon emphasized that this landmark effort will prioritize the welfare of commuters.
However, one thing remains certain with these developments: brace for intense traffic.
“May epekto yan sa traffic, sinasabi na namin ngayon. Pero ang kagandahan naman non, ‘pag naayos ito, ang laking ginhawa,” said Dizon.
“That will have an impact on traffic, we’re already saying it now. But the good thing is that once this is fixed, it will bring great relief.)
“Wala tayong choice, kailangan natin gawin. Mas mabuting gawin na natin ngayon kaysa wala tayong gagawin. Mas mabuting mapaganda na natin ngayon kaysa wala tayong gagawin,” he explained.
(We have no choice, we need to do it. It’s better to do it now than to do nothing. It’s better to improve it now than to do nothing.
The DOTr, other government agencies, and local government units (LGUs) are currently finalizing plans related to the EDSA rehabilitation project.