The EDSA Busway, though far from perfect, has proved to be a successful program by the government and has transported millions of commuters efficiently along the Philippines’ busiest thoroughfare.

Unfortunately, the government says that it lacks the necessary funds to further improve the EDSA Busway. For this reason, the government is eyeing to transfer the construction, operations, and maintenance of the busway to a private entity. This would be quite similar to the one they did at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) which is now operated by San Miguel Corporation via the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC).

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the agency already engaged a consultant in preparation for the full privatization of the EDSA Busway.

Within 2025

The government is already fast-tracking the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) of the EDSA Busway, with the bidding set to begin within the year. Should the EDSA Busway become privatized, the winning bidder will be responsible for the construction of improved busway facilities, such as additional bus stations, ease of mobility devices, and the like; day-to-day operations, and maintenance.

On the other hand, the DOTr is also eyeing the launch of the Cavite Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system sometime in September of this year.

Do you think that this handover of the EDSA Busway to the private sector will improve passenger experience, as well as lower fares?