Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday led the inspection of six stations of EDSA Busway to ensure that their elevators are functioning.
This is a part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that public transportation is convenient and accessible especially for priority passengers such as senior citizens, pregnant women and PWDs.
The stations that Dizon inspected include Monumento, Bagong Barrio, Balintawak, SM North, Philam and Guadalupe.
There are 18 elevators across six separate busway stations, for easier travel for passengers.
The agency earlier rolled out bidding for the P252.8 million rehabilitation of EDSA Busway stations Phase 1.
The agency said bids received in excess of the approved budget for the contract (ABC) would be automatically rejected at bid opening.
Dizon earlier suspended plans to privatize the EDSA Busway system’s operations and maintenance this year as the agency prioritizes the rehabilitation of the stations before transferring them to a private concessionaire.
Dizon said the goal is to complete the station upgrades by February or March 2026.
Once the stations and infrastructure upgrades are completed, the government would proceed with the privatization of the busway’s O&M, he said.
The EDSA Busway Project is a flagship initiative of the DOTr, supported by the Department of Public Works and Highways and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
It aims to enhance mass transit efficiency, safety, and accessibility along EDSA, Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare.