The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Transportation – Philippines (DOTr) inaugurated the two newly-constructed EDSA -Philam and Kamuning Stations in Quezon City for the EDSA Busway.
Additionally, enhancements were implemented in other existing stations such as Guadalupe, Santolan, Balintawak, Bagong Barrio, Monumento, Ayala, Buendia, Kaingin, Nepa Q-Mart, Quezon Avenue, Roosevelt, Roxas Boulevard, and Tramo.
MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the addition of the two newly-built EDSA Busway Stations as well as its improvements is a testament to the unified efforts of government agencies to provide efficient, affordable, comfortable, and safer bus service to the commuters.
“The EDSA-Philam station features elevators or manlifters to provide accessibility and convenience to passengers, especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs),” said Artes.
“Four footbridges, particularly stations in Monumento, Bagong Barrio, Balintawak, Guadalupe, have three elevators or manlifters each to encourage more passengers to ride the EDSA Busway.”
“Four other footbridges, particularly stations in Monumento, Bagong Barrio, Balintawak, Guadalupe, have three elevators or manlifters each to encourage more passengers to ride the EDSA Busway,” the MMDA chief added.
For the safety and security of the passengers, the MMDA constructed and installed Smart Traffic Surveillance System at the Busway through the funding of the DOTR.
“The EDSA busway boasts of a smart traffic surveillance system where 166 CCTV cameras are installed.”
“The EDSA busway boasts of a smart traffic surveillance system where 166 CCTV cameras are installed, 21 with artificial intelligence or AI technologies, along the entire Busway route from Monumento to Roxas Boulevard, to monitor the time allowed for buses to load and unload passengers as well as drivers’ violations intended to make commuter trips faster and more efficient,” he said.
Through these initiatives, aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Philippine Development plan anchored on Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance, Artes said an increase on the average number of daily passengers of the busway is expected.
“This project highlights that the government can develop and construct at par infrastructure through coordination and collaboration, underscoring our commitment to providing efficient, effective, and secure transportation systems and managing transport and traffic in the metropolis,” he said.
For his part, Secretary Jaime Bautista thanked the MMDA for supporting the projects of the DOTR in bringing comfort and convenience to the passengers.
“The installation of man lifters is aimed to reach the DOTR’s objective to provide a comfortable, affordable, safe, and secure, accessible travel experience to passengers, especially to senior citizens, persons with disabilities,” Bautista said.
According to the transportation chief, the project also involves the construction of new pedestrian footbridges for Balintawak, Santolan and Guadalupe Stations; rehabilitation of existing pedestrian footbridges at Monumento, Bagong Barrio; construction of PWD Ramps, catch basins and storm drain pipes; provision of pressurized washer for the concrete barriers.
