The Department of Transportation said Tuesday the construction of EDSA Busway Concourse Project will start next month in partnership with SM Prime Holdings Inc.
The agency and SMPHI signed in November 2020 a memorandum of agreement for the construction of three concourses to be built at the SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall and SM North EDSA in spaces donated by the SM Group.
"With the EDSA Busway, we are not just changing the system, but also the culture on the road. We are inculcating the values and the discipline for the benefit of the people," Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a virtual briefing.
“The transformation of EDSA is a manifestation of effective public and private partnership. I personally thank SM Prime Holdings for answering the call for assistance, by graciously taking on the construction and maintenance of these vital components at no cost to the government," he said.
The construction period is also estimated to take from six to eight months.
The EDSA Concourse Project is envisioned to provide safer, more convenient access to the stations of the EDSA Busway and give a better commuting experience to Filipinos, with these concourses designed and equipped with ticketing booths, automatic fare collection system turnstiles and concierges, which will allow all transport transactions to take place at the concourses, prior to the onboarding of passengers.
"With these concourses, SM hopes to be able to contribute to a more enjoyable, safe and convenient commute for the Filipino public ," said SMPHI president Jeffrey Lim.
“In addition to funding the construction of these concourses, SM will ensure that these facilities are properly secured and well-maintained for the safety and convenience of all passengers and pedestrians," he said.
The EDSA Busway—a system that utilizes a dedicated median lane for public utility buses—which runs from Monumento in Caloocan City to the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, was established in cooperation with the Metro Manila Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
The EDSA Busway effectively reduced travel time between Monumento and PITX from the previous 3.5 hours to less than one hour.