Busway from España to Quezon Avenue eyed

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing to build another busway in Metro Manila, this time crossing España Boulevard in Manila and Quezon Avenue in Quezon City to benefit mostly students.

Speaking to reporters of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon yesterday said the DOTr is studying the feasibility of putting up a busway from España to Quezon Avenue.

Dizon said he believes that an exclusive bus lane is needed in the Manila-Quezon City corridor to accelerate the commute, especially for students headed to and from the University Belt.

“To me, the most viable and most needed one is España to Quezon Avenue. We can do it, and that’s wide enough for a busway,” Dizon said.

The DOTr is planning to pattern the busway after the EDSA Carousel.

The agency will initially shoulder the construction cost, Dizon said.

“Once the project has scaled up, the DOTr can start thinking about privatizing its operations and maintenance,” he said.

The DOTr targets to wrap up the feasibility study next year, after which the agency can begin looking for contractors who will build the project.

EDSA busway rehab

Dizon said the DOTr is equipped with about P500 million for the rehabilitation of the EDSA busway prior to its turnover to the private sector in 2026.

In May, the DOTr opened the bidding for the P252.8-million upgrade of four stops along the busway: Monumento, Bagong Barrio, North Avenue and Guadalupe.

However, Dizon said he may have to ask for a supplemental budget to cover the replacement of the EDSA Kamuning footbridge.

President Marcos had ordered the DOTr to take down the five-story structure, known as “Mt. Kamuning.”

The DOTr plans to integrate the new footbridge with the busway stop in Kamuning.

Dizon said the new footbridge would have a lower height and will be equipped with an elevator.

To date, the busway is built with 23 stops along EDSA between Monumento, Caloocan City and the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.

Based on DOTr data, the EDSA bus lane serves more than 177,000 people daily.